An International Sentiment: Sofitel PH Receives Ire from UNTV’s Worldwide Supporters

News, Events and Second Glances

Sofitel, a hotel chain in the Philippines, is at the receiving end of a massive online barrage of sentiments for removing UNTV 37, the country’s public service network from it’s program listing.

And though this act of media discrimination happened solely in the Philippines, UNTV’s supporters all across the globe have tweeted their demand for Sofitel’s management to explain the reason behind them doing so.

They also demand a public apology for blatant media discrimination against the public service channel.

Without word from the Sofitel camp, UNTV’s supporters from the Philippines and abroad tweeted their sentiment and frustration to the hotel chain.

From Asia to Africa and points in between, supporters of the #BoycottSofitelPH,  #NotoSofitel and now #BoycottSofitelPHDay3 and #NotoSofitelDay3, respectively, have dominated the Twittersphere, trending for three days straight – since the campaign started.

Apparently, UNTV is the only local channel to have been intentionally removed by the hotel chain from its programming.

After days of trending on Twitter, Sofitel finally made its statement with regards to the removal of UNTV on their hotel chain’s program list. According to Sofitel’s statement on Twitter, which reads:

Bonjour! In line with the ongoing campaign to boycott Sofitel Manila, we would like to share with you all the official statement of the management: “We do not discriminate against any local or international broadcasting television channel. While we supply several television channels for our guests, the channels we air in the hotel are system-limited, and regularly changed based on several factors, including guest feedback and demand. We are happy to hear the public’s concerns, and will consider to re-instate the UNTV Channel if this is a request from our hotel guests”.

The statement did not bid well with the supporters, and was tagged as arrogant and illogical.  Instead of appeasing the public, Sofitel’s statement gained more of the people’s ire.

It’s not system limited, it’s “System-Manipulated”!  –

CENTENNIAL VISITORS. UNTV removed from SOFITEL remote controls. Bcz Bro Eli is there. U don’t like the truth?  – 

Don’t try to sugar-coat your lies.   – 

Why do some creatures underestimate people’s intelligence all the time? We don’t buy your crappy excuse!  – 

Sabi nga ni Macalintal, just admit that you’re wrong.. May excuses pa kayo eh. Illogical naman.  – 

 

Just keep tweeting! Ayaw pang magpakumbaba ng sa ginawa nilang panghahamak. Ma-ere kasi.   – 

 

As of writing time, the boycott against Sofitel Philippines is being continued as it stays on top of Twitter ranks since it started.

UNTV, which just recently celebrated its 10th year anniversary, is a public service network which has news and public service bureaus in several countries.