Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), also known by its legal name Swara Sug Media Corporation (SSMC),[1] is a Philippine broadcast media arm of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) led by the Filipino televangelist Apollo Quiboloy.[2] Based in Davao City and Makati, it operates a network of radio and television broadcasting stations.
It currently owns and operates a sister channel (SMNI News Channel), the broadcasting network is available over terrestrial broadcast in the Philippines (until December 2023), and on cable, satellite, and online streaming worldwide.[3] The network now owns and operates two television networks, where the main flagship station, based in Davao City, maintains an uninterrupted 24-hour service through regular repetition of a dozen self-produced Kingdom Programs in English, Filipino, and dozens of foreign languages along with news, public affairs, public service, infotainment, sports and entertainment programs. On the other hand, the network's sister channel SMNI News Channel, based in Makati, primarily provides rolling news coverage and public affairs programs, which broadcasts exclusively in Digital TV format in Metro Manila, Metro Davao, Benguet and Cagayan de Oro (until December 2023). It also maintained a network of radio stations under the "Sonshine Radio" brand of the Swara Sug Media Corporation. SMNI also has print publications such as Guide Magazine, Pinas Newspaper and Sikat Newspaper.[4]
The broadcasting network was licensed in late 2003 by the Philippine government to operate seven analog free-to-air television channels in key cities across the country. It also has two digital terrestrial channels in Metro Manila and Metro Davao.[5]
SMNI has been the object of various criticisms, particularly centering on right-wing populist bias and handling its own coverage through forms of disinformation.
History
The Kingdom of Jesus Christ's Media Ministry, known today as SMNI, began on the radio with the program "Pagsusi sa Kamatuoran" (Searching for Truth/Paghahanap ng Katotohanan) on radio stations DXDC and DXUM. The television ministry began in 1991, when they launched their first television program, "The Hour of Truth" aired nationally on IBC and ABS-CBN stations in the Visayas and Mindanao, followed by "Powerline" in 1995.
On 1 July 2000, The Kingdom of Jesus Christ officially launched its 24-hour cable network, "The Q Channel" (then also known as "ACQ–TV, Q Channel", not to be confused with defunct Philippine TV network QTV), bringing the Gospel of the Kingdom from Davao City to key cities around the Philippines, which was carried by Sky Cable in Davao City, General Santos, Bacolod, Iloilo, Cebu, Tagum, and Baguio.
On 25 April 2003, The Q Channel became the "ACQ–Kingdom Broadcasting Network" (ACQ-KBN), with an expanded reach across the Asia-Pacific region and the United States via satellite, using its own satellite uplink Broadcast station located at Davao Central, also carrying the new slogan "Delivering the Good news 24 hours a day, 7 days a week".[6] In conjunction with this, the network launched its first free TV station, Sonshine TV-43 Davao, and introduced new religious programs such as Give Us This Day, Sounds of Worship,
Programming
Domestic stations
TV stations
(Offline since December 2023 due to the NTC’s shutdown order.)
Analog (Defunct)
Digital (Defunct)
Cable
Analog (Defunct)
Digital (Defunct)
Cable
Radio stations (Defunct)
Partnership talks with CGTN
Controversies
Alleged bias and far-right content
SMNI has been a subject of many criticisms and allegations from independent media watchdogs, particularly on misinformation, false accusation, and right-wing[13][14] bias while maintaining its editorial control.[15][16] Media institutions and sectoral rights groups have accused SMNI of spreading misinformation and fake news while at the same time attacking critics of the Duterte administration and several media outlets in the form of "red-tagging".[17]
See also
- Kingdom of Jesus Christ
- Sonshine Radio
- KJC King Dome
External links
References
- R.A. No. 8122: An Act Granting the Swara Sug Media Corp. Of the Philippines a Franchise to Construct, Install, Operate and Maintain for Commercial Purposes Radio and Television Broadcasting Stations in the Philippines and for Other Purposes July 16, 1995^
- About Sonshine Media Network International smni.com, retrieved May 15, 2021^
- About Sonshine Media Network International