MTRCB can’t censor Duterte’s cussing on live TV interview

DUTERTE (AP)

Reacting to queries on presumptive President-elect Rodrigo Duterte’s cussing on live interviews and press conferences, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) yesterday clarified that it could not censor live media briefings and on-the-spot news reporting.

Citing Presidential Decree No. 1986, MTRCB chair Eugenio Villareal said the agency’s jurisdiction does not cover “newsreels, i.e. straight presentation of events, such as the recent evening media conference of the incoming Chief Executive.”

“In not subjecting straight news to MTRCB jurisdiction, the law clearly intended to give premium to the right to free speech and expression, and freedom of the press as well as the public’s right to information,” Villareal said in a statement. “The public is entitled to know not only what is happening, but also how much public servants care for them.”

Villareal said the agency “respects and supports” the television networks’ duty to self-regulate regarding straight news, noting that the Kapisanan ng Brodkaster ng Pilipinas and broadcast networks have their own self-regulatory ethical guidelines.

“This came to light, for instance, during the inquiries in the 2010 Rizal Park hostage-taking crisis. Our networks will always have to balance freedom of the press—and many times together with the individual freedom of expression of the subject of the news, on the one hand, with constitutionally accepted limitations such as danger to national security or the right to privacy, on the other,” Villareal said.

“The MTRCB is aware of the challenges of ‘as it happens’ reporting, including the need to authentically show events of national importance or to deliver the message of those who form public opinion, even if this will carry strong images or language. Thus, pursuant to its developmental mandate, the MTRCB has regularly endeavored to help networks by lending academic or expert resources for talks and conferences, and increasing public awareness on the matter through the agency’s Matalinong Panonood campaign,” he added.

But Villareal clarified that MTRCB has jurisdiction over “public or current affairs” programs, which “analyze the news and express opinions,” as affirmed by a 2005 Supreme Court decision (MTRCB vs. ABS-CBN, et al.).