Govt bans live airings of talk shows!--- A Marcos tactic

[dawn runner]

---

Gov’t bans live airing
of TV talk shows
MTRCB approval required

The government has banned the live television broadcast of all public affairs shows.

The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board, in a memorandum dated May 17 said all so-called talk shows require its review and approval before they can be aired.

A copy of the MTRCB memorandum was made available to Malaya yesterday by the National Union Journalists of the Philippines .

NUJP officials said the muzzling of television talk shows is chilling when seen in the light of the killing of journalists.

MTRCB chair Ma. Consoliza P. Laguardia did not provide any reason for the pre-screening of talk shows.

She only cited a Supreme Court ruling on Jan. 17, 2005 which she said places such programs under MTRCB review.

She said the review and pre-broadcast approval cover "public affairs programs, news documentaries, socio-political editorials, and all other programs of the same category."

This inept government is howing off its true colors. Its worse than Marcos! After the "No Permit, No rally policy" and the systematic killing of journalist, here comes another whammy of the Constitutional protection of the right to self expression.

Is it because the issue of jueteng is too hot for this corrupt government to handle? Is this hideous government try to hide something? Chills is going down my spine. And look at the targetted programs-- public affairs programs, news documentaries, socio political editorials and all other programs of the same category.

This is intended to interactive discussion programs like Dong Puno live and Debate in GMA 7. Perhaps the government is afraid of the tsunami type expression of anger of the people with the issue of irregularity and corruption engulfing the Arroyo government.

The government wants to sanitize the media. It only wants to air their own side. Requiem for democracy in this country. And its not even Lacson who did it. Its the "safer" Gloria who did it. This is a shameless ACT OF CENSORSHIP that has no place in a democracy like ours.

Not even the vilified Erap government did this. And the social elite have accused Erap of something he did not do. During the past election, people didnt vote for Lacson because they are afraid he might turned autocratic like Marcos. Then they settle for Gloria whom they perceived to be the safer choice.

THEY HAVE BEEN HAD! This is too much to take.

[blank]

Is it because the issue of jueteng is too hot for this corrupt government to handle? Is this hideous government try to hide something? Chills is going down my spine. And look at the targetted programs-- public affairs programs, news documentaries, socio political editorials and all other programs of the same category.

This is intended to interactive discussion programs like Dong Puno live and Debate in GMA 7. Perhaps the government is afraid of the tsunami type expression of anger of the people with the issue of irregularity and corruption engulfing the Arroyo government.

The government wants to sanitize the media. It only wants to air their own side. Requiem for democracy in this country. And its not even Lacson who did it. Its the "safer" Gloria who did it. This is a shameless ACT OF CENSORSHIP that has no place in a democracy like ours.

Not even the vilified Erap government did this. And the social elite have accused Erap of something he did not do. During the past election, people didnt vote for Lacson because they are afraid he might turned autocratic like Marcos. Then they settle for Gloria whom they perceived to be the safer choice.

THEY HAVE BEEN HAD! This is too much to take.

Dawn why is it that you're always against what the government's actions and rules. Somewhat you're like a pessimist type of person. I see this action as a protection against minors and other persons who could not take what was been projected in TV..... I guess the government didn't ban the live news broadcast that is the most important thing for us to be informed of what the government and our fellow filipino has been doing.... In my opinion the above mentioned programs needs really to be checked if its OK to be viewed by the public cause there are Minors who's watching and its the government responsibility to protect, not just physically but also mentally, the public.

Please don't mistake me as a PRO Gloria, am just seeing this move by the government as something significant. And there's nothing to worry because big broadcasting companies is not government owned and they can always fight for what they want to show to the public ...

[milk]

You are over reacting dawn runner.

[marquee]

hahaha! ngano kaha ni si dawn runner. na-sobrahan man... your adding insult to injuries! ayaw na intawon dugangi among mga kasakit oi. sige pa saka presyo plete, gasolina, groceries, basic necessities, gamay sweldo... gadugang pa jud diay ko.tsk tsk tsk well, we are bound to our opinions. opinion ra man sad ni ako pero ikaw graveh na siguro imong kasuko sa government kay post ngari post ngadto ug mga issues against government. naunsa na man ka oi. loosen up!hehehe peace!

[darkwing]

damn! what next? ban corruption? yeah right....

[nunobone]

for some point i think dawn is right..
protection for the minors?? oh okkk!!! ok ra siguro if shows like "The Buzz", "Sis", "Home Boy", etc... talk shows like that... kana ang dapat bantayan!!! mga gisul.ob sa artista or something diba??

peru if ilang i.apil ang shows like "Debate", "Don Puno Live","Imbistegador","Emergency",etc... lain na nah siya... coz these kind of shows are the only weapon that the people have against the government!!! murag kani lang ang voice sa mga tao diri sa pinas! coz these shows tuckles more on government issues... kung ilang i.review first then what if naa silay dili magustuhan coz once nakakita ko sa Emergency kang Arnold, gitirahan ang government about poverty, gi show ang mga pinaka.pobre na lurgar diri sa pinas na wala jud naabtan sa tabang sa governemnt.. and nindot to siya pagka.express... unsa man diay ang ilang gustong ipakita kanang nindot na nabuhat nila?? LOLS.. si GMA kay daghan na jud tingalig pang Good-Shot na Commercials.. coz once the government controls the media, what do you think is going to happen wla nay makahibalo kung unsay nahitabo didto unsay habitabu diri... and all we can see are "A love Project by PGMA"s

the MTRCB is doing their job very well they have their rules.. if naay dili sila magustohan diba ila mang i.suspende ang Host(etc)?? and for sure wala man sad siguroy gusto ma suspende diba??

[dawn runner]

PRIOR RESTRAINT
Journalists hit censors' order

Posted 00:04am (Mla time) May 28, 2005
By Michael Lim Ubac
Inquirer News Service

Editor's Note: Published on page A1 of the May 28, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer


LAWMAKERS and journalists yesterday blasted a government memo requiring prior state approval of public affairs programs on television as tantamount to muzzling the media and a throwback to the days of Ferdinand Marcos' dictatorship.

They urged Malacañang to revoke the memo issued by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board, calling it an attack on civil rights and a violation of the Constitution.

MTRCB officials could not be reached for comment on what prompted the Board to issue memorandum circular No. 07-05, but its chair, Consoliza Laguardia, confirmed in a radio interview that it had been issued.

Dated last May 17, the circular cited what it said was a decision of the Supreme Court in January "that public affairs programs, news documentaries, socio-political editorials, and all other programs of the same category, are television programs that are subject to MTRCB review and approval in accordance with Section 3 of Presidential Decree No. 1986." PD 1986 was one of more than 2,000 edicts issued by Marcos after he placed the country under martial law in 1972 and suppressed dissent.

"Please be advised to submit materials of the aforementioned television programs to the Board for review and approval prior to telecast, effective immediately," said a copy of the circular provided to the Inquirer by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines.

It said failure to comply would mean sanctions. Under the Marcos decree, sanctions included fines and imprisonment.

The circular was addressed to television station managers, blocktimers and their representatives.

A jurassic fossil

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. said in a text message that the circular "constitutes unconstitutional prior restraint and violates free speech." House Majority Leader Prospero Nograles and Minority Leader Francis Escudero agreed.

Escudero urged Malacañang to rescind the Laguardia directive, saying the Palace could not afford another scandal.

Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño said PD 1986 was "a jurassic, Marcosian fossil that should be done away with if we value our rights and freedom and if we truly detest autocracy."

He recalled that the Marcos directive was used to censor government critics during martial law.

Abolish MTRCB

Casiño called on Congress to expedite the passage of House Bill No. 4080, which sought to abolish the MTRCB and replace it with an MTCB, or Movie and Television Classification Board, "which will only classify movie and television materials."

"As long as the current MTRCB law remains in force, there is always a clear and present danger for censorship," Casiño warned.

'Dictatorial rule?'

He said the circular was "poisonous to press freedom" and added: "Laguardia should be made to explain the objectives and motives behind her directive."

Anakpawis party-list Rep. Crispin Beltran said the MTRCB memo was clearly state censorship.

"It's a sign of burgeoning dictatorial rule," he said.

Beltran noted that a growing number of journalists had been killed in the country and added: "Now, the fruit of their efforts are also being subjected to possible censorship."

At least five journalists have been murdered in the country this year, adding to the 13 killed last year. This has prompted the foreign-based Committee to Project Journalists to call the Philippines the most murderous place in the world for reporters.

Beltran said it was alarming that the Arroyo administration "and its allies in the Supreme Court and the other main branches of government are resorting to measures that curtail freedom of the press."

Davide asked to explain

"Clearly, the controversial, anomalous and even shocking developments in the country's economic and political workings are getting out of hand, and the national government is stepping in to control the flow and dissemination of information and analysis," he said.

The leftist lawmaker said Chief Justice Hilario Davide should be made to answer for the high court decision which the MTRCB had used to justify its circular.

Nograles said: "Maybe the lawyer advising the MTRCB should review again his (or her) political and constitutional law."

The MTRCB anchored its reason for releasing the circular in a Supreme Court decision that the "that public affairs programs, news documentaries, socio-political editorials, and all other programs of the same category, are television programs that are subject to MTRCB review and approval in accordance with Section 3 of Presidential Decree No. 1986."

Perhaps lawyers from MTRCB just misinterpreted the decision of the Supreme Court. The word said "review and approval." Well, it just mean regulation. And regulation doesnt mean prohibition or censorship. The freedom of expression is a sacred right protected by the Constitution and this cannot be taken away by just a directive from Ms. Consolica Laguardia.

Funny, but even administration Congressman Prospero Nograles of Davao City, a certified lackey and lapdog of GMA, is echoing the same sentiment that this directive smacks of martial law type repression of civil rights.

maybe Ms Laguardia might have been just mistaken in interprting the law. Unless, she had an instruction from Malacanang as a prelude to a more sinister design by this unpopular administration.

[blank]

the MTRCB is doing their job very well they have their rules.. if naay dili sila magustohan diba ila mang i.suspende ang Host(etc)?? and for sure wala man sad siguroy gusto ma suspende diba??

I believe yes they are doing their job. SUSPENSION was done after the show has been broadcasted over the TV, and for me it is not correct. dba? Coz I always believe na the best way to protect out selves is preventing some unhealthy shows from being shown on TV....

Debate, Dong Puno live are good shows and there's nothing to worry if they really have some points that they want to show on TV and censorship prevented to do that but the grounds for the prevention is not valid they can always complain and nobody is preventing them to do that... Right? Still in this move I believe that the government didn't take away our freedom of expression cause they can always complain at the right place at the right time. What you're talking is already the worst case scenario... Why don't you trust our journalist? I believe that they won't allow that to happened. remember that 2 big broadcasting companies are not owned by the government. and they hold a big "power" or "role" that could affect the entire nation, that's why I believe that they (the shows) have to be regulated, but not to the extent that they will have to hide the truth.

[blank]

Perhaps lawyers from MTRCB just misinterpreted the decision of the Supreme Court. The word said "review and approval." Well, it just mean regulation. And regulation doesnt mean prohibition or censorship. The freedom of expression is a sacred right protected by the Constitution and this cannot be taken away by just a directive from Ms. Consolica Laguardia.

Dawn pwede pasabton ko nimo about ani? sorry kaayo lain man gud ako pagsabot. Lain2x man gyud pud ta opinion....

Cause what I can see regulation is somewhat a law, rule, guidelines or instructions and if something has violated these it would result to censorship and the worst is prohibition of that something to be shown or used.... Right? I can't just take away those two words "PROHIBITION" and "CENSORSHIP" when we talk about regulation. And as far as I can understand from what you wrote you are trying to eliminate those two words when we regulate...

[dawn runner]

When we say regulation its a noun of the verb regulate. That is why its called MTRCB Movie Television Review and Classification Board. The operative words are "review and classification". It can review shows and after that it can classify like GP, PG or R-18 or XXX. It can only classify and not prohibit because if it starts to prohibit what and what cannot be shown on TV and in the movies that is called Prior Restraint or otherwise known as censorship already. Its a curtailment of the freedom of expression and of the press.

Now, there are exceptions when the State can prohibit the airing of shows and that is when it will constitute a clear and present danger of which the State has the right to prevent. The substantive evil must be extremely serious and the degree of imminence extremely high before the utterances can be punished (Schenk vs. US 249 US 97).

Not even criticism of official conduct can be used to curtail freedom of the press. The Supreme Court in the landmark case of US vs. Bustos 37 Phil 731 has ruled that the individual is given the widest latitude in criticism of official conduct. The Supreme Court compared criticism to a "scalpel that relieves the abcesses of officialdom."

In our present there is no clear and present danger on which MTRCB can bank on that highly unconstitutional memorandum.