GMA-7 files libel suit vs ABS-CBN
GMA Network Inc. filed a P15-million libel suit against rival network ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court yesterday over alleged manipulation of television ratings conducted by AGB Nielsen Media Research
In a 20-page complaint filed by GMA Channel 7 vice president for legal affairs Dick Perez, the network said that ABS-CBN Channel 2 reporters and its sister radio station dzMM reporters, hosts, and talents distorted an interview with Maya
Reforma, ABG Nielsen Media Research general manager, to make it appear that GMA was behind the alleged rating manipulations.
The respondents included dzMM station manager Angelo Palmones, news manager Alona Magsalas, reporter Junrie
Also listed as respondents were ABS-CBN head of legal department Maximilian Uy, Entertainment Live and The Buzz production heads Malou Santos and Luis Andrada, headwriter Romer Gonzales, Entertainment Live executive producer Lani Gutierrez, The Buzz executive producer Nancy Yabut, and headwriter Ian Reyno.
In its complaint, GMA accused the respondents of portraying in their programs that Channel 7 committed fraud and manipulated television ratings being conducted by AGB Nielsen.
GMA said in the civil suit that the accused deliberately distorted the statements of Reforma by allegedly inserting remarks which were never mentioned during the AGB Nielsen executive’s media interview.
GMA Network said the report by dzMM reporter Hidalgo stated: “Tahasang inamin na ngayon ng AGB Nielsen Media Research na ang GMA Network ang siyang nasa likod ng sinasabing pagmamanipula ng survey ng television ratings sa Bacolod,” despite Reforma’s denial in an affidavit of such accusation.
“Such similarly malicious statements systematically and repetitiously aired by the defendant ABS-CBN over its programs and defendant talents, host or reporters show that the same was orchestrated and scripted and intentionally perpetrated to defame, impeach and besmirch the reputation of plaintiff GMA Channel 7,” the complaint stated.
GMA Network is seeking P10 million for moral damages, P2.5 million as exemplary damages, P1.5 million as attorneys’ fees and P 1 million as litigation expenses.
GMA Network has categorically denied the accusations, noting that AGB Nielsen officials had belied the report and cleared GMA of the accusations.
ABS-CBN had earlier questioned the authenticity of the television ratings data being produced daily by AGB Nielsen Media Research Philippines after an informant reportedly divulged the households tapped for the survey in Bacolod City had been influenced by a third party, thus influencing the viewing behavior of the sampled groups. The network also sued AGB Nielsen Media Research.
ABS-CBN has won a temporary restraining order from a
“Plaintiff has never engaged in manipulation or rigging of ratings in
ABS-CBN said the P15-million libel suit filed by GMA Network against them is meant to divert attention away from the issue of TV ratings manipulation.
“We are disappointed but not surprised by GMA-7’s reactions to the discovery of TV ratings manipulation. It appears that they want to prevent the media from mentioning GMA-7 in connection with cheating in the ratings,” ABS-CBN spokesman Bong Osorio said in a statement.
“Let’s remember that the issue here is about having a clean TV ratings process, the reason we filed a civil case against AGB-Nielsen Media Research. Filing defamation charges against ABS-CBN diverts attention from the real issue. We are confident that the truth will come out,” he added.
He said several affidavits filed by Reforma before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court have identified GMA-7 as the broadcast network behind the efforts that compromised panel homes in
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