Question & AnswerQ&A (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 1776)
The primary purpose of Presidential Decree No. 1776 is to further amend Presidential Decree No. 576, enhancing the role of regulatory councils for print media and broadcast media to promote self-regulation, internal discipline, professional standards, and social responsibility in mass media, while assisting the government in enforcing laws related to mass media activities.
Print Media includes all newspapers, periodicals, magazines, journals, and publications, including all advertising therein, as well as billboards, neon signs, and the like.
Broadcast Media includes radio and television broadcasting in all their aspects, including all forms of audio, visual or audio-visual communications such as video tapes, citizens band, and other similar electronic devices, and cinematography, to the extent that these forms are utilized as mass media through radio or television broadcasting transmission.
They are responsible for elevating the ethics and standards of excellence in all phases of mass media within their respective groups. They may adopt policies, formulate guidelines, fix standards, and promulgate rules and regulations for the operation and discipline of all mass media under their supervision, and administer and enforce these rules.
The regulatory councils must include knowledgeable prominent citizens of unquestioned integrity representing the general public to provide greater balance in the councils' deliberations.
Yes, no mass media activity can be undertaken in the Philippines without first being registered with the appropriate regulatory council, which will issue certificates of registration to qualified applicants under the Constitution, laws, and council rules.
Yes, the councils have the authority to suspend or cancel certificates of registration for cause as provided in their rules, after due determination by the council of such cause.
Yes, no certificates of registration shall be granted to mass media entities that were ordered closed or sequestered in September 1972 under Proclamation No. 1081 or those subsequently closed due to findings of involvement in subversion, sedition, or other subversive activities inimical to national security.
The Minister of Public Information is furnished copies of the rules, regulations, issuances, and decisions of the regulatory councils for informational purposes only.
The decree took effect immediately upon its signing on January 14, 1980.