QuestionsQuestions (NTC MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 01-03-2006)
The NTC is the government agency vested with authority to formulate and implement policies, plans, programs, rules, and regulations on the establishment, maintenance, and operation of broadcast facilities, systems, and services throughout the country.
It adopts existing KBP program standards as benchmarks to govern responsible radio and television broadcasting and cablecasting, to protect the public interest in normalcy and even during armed conflict, public peril, calamity, or other national emergency.
It does not issue a new set of guidelines; it adopts the existing KBP program standards embodied in the KBP Radio and Television Codes and other relevant KBP circulars, and reiterates provisions of NTC Memorandum Circular 11-12-85 and 22-89.
Because such freedom and independence are essential to protecting fundamental civil rights—freedom of speech and the right to true and accurate information—and must be safeguarded for proper performance in a democratic society.
The KBP is recognized as the self-regulatory body for broadcast media in the Philippines, with its program standards adopted and institutionalized by NTC through prior agreements and issuances.
It adopts the KBP Radio and Television Codes and other relevant KBP circulars, including KBP Circular 06-016 (27 February 2006), and reiterates and adopts all provisions of NTC Memorandum Circular 11-12-85 and Memorandum Circular 22-89.
They must conform to the program standards and guidelines set forth in the adopted KBP standards and the reiterated NTC memorandum circular provisions.
It supports the KBP injunction that broadcast stations must not allow their facilities to be used for advocating the overthrow of government by force or violence.
It prohibits the broadcast of materials that tend to propose/incite treason, rebellion, or sedition, or that pose a clear and present danger to the State.
It notes that coverage of troop movements is sensitive; broadcasters should exclude information that may identify troop locations or identifiable landmarks, give troop estimates, identify troop personnel, or show identifiable troop destination or direction.
Supervision may be through government or self-regulation, but it calls for thoughtful and reasonable discretion and fealty at all times to the observance of due process.
Because it is not only the responsibility of government and broadcast media to know, but also a right of the general public to be informed of the accepted program standards.
Complaints against any KBP member directly filed before DOTC or NTC for violations of broadcast laws, NTC rules, KBP codes, and relevant circulars shall be immediately remanded to the KBP Standard Authority for consideration and adjudication.
Complaints against other broadcast entities, upon due notice and hearing, shall be immediately acted upon by the NTC.
Any circular, memorandum, or order previously issued, or parts thereof inconsistent with this circular, are deemed amended, revised, or repealed.
It takes effect fifteen (15) days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation.
It reiterates the Memorandum of Agreement dated 24 September 1991 among DOTC, NTC, and KBP, including the complaint remand/adjudication framework described in the circular.