There are people who want a sanitized version of reality.
Incoming President Rodrigo Duterte is known for cursing when his statements get intense or when he’s just plain annoyed. Apparently, some people who object to his use of expletives have contacted the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB).
“Citing Presidential Decree No. 1986, MTRCB chair Eugenio Villareal clarified that it could not censor live media briefings and on-the-spot news reporting,” reports Yuji Vincent Gonzales on Inquirer.net.
Villareal pointed out that the MTRCB’s jurisdiction “does not cover newsreels, i.e. straight presentation of events, such as the recent evening media conference of the incoming Chief Executive.”
He added, “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. The public is entitled to know not only what is happening, but also how much public servants care for them.”
Villareal explained that the MTRCB “respects and supports” television networks’ duty to self-regulate regarding straight news. Besides, the Kapisanan ng Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) and broadcast networks have their own self-regulatory ethical guidelines.
