QuestionsQuestions (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1784)
Presidential Decree No. 1784, titled “Abolishing the Councils for the Print and Broadcast Media Created under Letter of Instructions No. 587 in Accordance with Presidential Decree No. 576, as Amended by Presidential Decree No. 1776,” is dated January 5, 1981.
Section 1 repeals Presidential Decree No. 576 dated November 9, 1974, as amended by Presidential Decree No. 1776.
They are the councils created under Letter of Instructions No. 587, in accordance with Presidential Decree No. 576 (as amended by PD No. 1776).
Section 2 abolishes the specified print and broadcast media councils; they cease to exist as governmental or mandated bodies under the earlier decrees.
They state that supervision over mass media was terminated after martial law because sectors proved capable of self-regulation, and that the councils under LOI 587 further improved responsibility, respect for law, and competence for self-regulation.
No. Section 3 allows print and broadcast media, if they demonstrate regard for excellence and responsibility, to establish other self-regulatory bodies on their own.
The print and broadcast media may establish other self-regulatory bodies of their own.
They must show demonstrated regard for excellence and a high sense of responsibility as constant objectives.
No. Section 3 states they may establish other self-regulatory bodies in such form and with such rules and regulations as they see fit.
It provides that the decree “shall take effect immediately.”
It means PD No. 576, including the amendments introduced by PD No. 1776, is withdrawn as law and is no longer operative.
It reflects the broader policy that direct supervision was ended because mass media could self-regulate responsibly; PD No. 1784 goes further by abolishing the councils created under earlier decrees.
It indicates that excellence and a high sense of responsibility are ongoing aims that should guide any self-regulatory body the media chooses to establish.
Media institutions that previously relied on the abolished councils must look to new self-regulatory bodies they create or participate in, following their own rules under Section 3.
The organization (and the print media sector) may decide the form and rules “as they respectively see fit,” subject to the objective of excellence and high responsibility under Section 3.