Title
Franchise for Religious Broadcast Services
Law
Republic Act No. 7618
Decision Date
Jun 25, 1992
A detailed framework for the operation and responsibilities of the Christian Era Broadcasting Service, Inc., granting them a franchise to construct and maintain radio and television broadcasting stations in the Philippines for religious, non-commercial, and non-profit purposes, with obligations to provide public service time, adhere to ethical standards, and allow temporary government takeover in times of emergency.
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Operation Requirements and Interference Limitations

  • Operation must minimize interference with existing or future lawful broadcast stations on assigned frequencies.

Regulatory Approvals

  • Mandatory securing of permits and licenses from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).
  • No use of frequency without NTC authorization.
  • NTC must not unreasonably withhold or delay approvals.

Public Service Obligations

  • Provide reasonable public service airtime for government communication on important issues.
  • Maintain sound and balanced programming.
  • Promote public participation and community programming.
  • Support public information and education functions.
  • Comply with ethical standards and refrain from broadcasting obscene, indecent, false, or subversive content.

Government's Temporary Rights

  • The President may temporarily take over, suspend, or authorize use of stations during rebellion, emergency, calamity, or disturbance.
  • Compensation to the grantee for such use is required.

Franchise Term and Continuity

  • Franchise valid for 25 years from effectivity.
  • Automatically revoked if operations cease for 2 continuous years.

Acceptance and Construction Deadline

  • Written acceptance within 60 days after Act approval.
  • Construction and operation of station must be completed within 4 years of acceptance.
  • Failure to accept or comply renders franchise void.

Tax Exemptions

  • Exempt from prepayment of taxes, customs duties, and similar charges for equipment importation for broadcasting.
  • NTC certification required for exemption.
  • Violations result in double the assessed taxes and duties.

Self-Regulation and Censorship

  • No prior censorship of broadcasts required.
  • Grantee not liable for broadcasts violating law or private rights.
  • Grantee must cut off broadcasts inciting treason, rebellion, sedition, or containing indecent or immoral content.
  • Failure to act may lead to franchise cancellation.

Indemnification Clause

  • Grantee indemnifies national, provincial, and municipal governments against claims from accidents or injuries related to station construction or operation.

Restrictions on Transfer and Ownership

  • No lease, sale, transfer, usufruct grant, or merger of franchise or company without congressional approval.
  • Transfer of controlling interest subject to the same restriction.
  • New owners subject to all franchise conditions.

Separability Clause

  • Invalidity of any Act provision does not affect the validity of remaining provisions.

Amendments and Non-exclusivity

  • Franchise subject to amendment or repeal by Congress for public interest.
  • Not an exclusive grant.

Compliance with Future Broadcast Policy

  • Obliged to comply with any general broadcast policy laws enacted in the future.

Reporting Obligations

  • Annual report to Congress on franchise compliance and operations within 60 days after year-end.

Effectivity

  • Takes effect 15 days after publication in two newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines.

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