Broadcast journalist Atom Araullo has filed a P2 million damage suit against Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) hosts Lorraine Badoy and Jeffrey Celiz for allegedly disseminating defamatory statements about him and his family. Araullo stated that these unfounded accusations have caused him and his family emotional distress, hampering his work and press freedom in general.
During a press briefing on September 11, Araullo said, “Today, I have filed a civil complaint for damages against former Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy-Partosa and Jeffrey Celiz.” He detailed that the charges relate to a series of accusations and personal attacks the hosts conducted via their SMNI program and on various social media platforms.
In collaboration with the Movement Against Disinformation (MAD), Araullo electronically filed the complaint on September 10, and physically at the Office of the Prosecutor in Quezon City the following day. MAD stated that this legal step was initiated to “hold accountable the two SMNI hosts for their wrongful acts and to highlight how red-tagging fosters hate, abuse, and violence against journalists and truth-tellers.”
The 47-page complaint emphasizes several episodes of the SMNI show “Laban Kasama ang Bayan,” where Badoy and Celiz continuously associated Araullo and his mother, Carol, with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), and the National Democratic Front (NDF).
Araullo countered these allegations, remarking that “red-tagging is just a specific form of intimidating members of the media whose reporting does not fit their particular agenda.” He also emphasized his decision to file a civil case rather than a criminal complaint, noting his disagreement with the criminalization of libel which, according to him, could potentially endanger legitimate journalism.
Tony La Viña, the founding president of MAD, addressed concerns over the potential for civil cases being leveraged against journalists, stating that building a civil case demands time and resources, making it less likely for state forces to adopt this strategy for press intimidation.
This case isn’t only about seeking justice for the alleged defamation; Araullo also views it as an avenue to bolster press freedom more broadly. “I filed this case for the safety of my family, but also hope that the case contributes to press freedom in general,” Araullo stated.
Both Araullo and his mother have been vocal about their endeavors to combat red-tagging, with Carol having previously filed a complaint against Badoy in July.