NTC Program Standards for Broadcast and Cable TV

The NTC recognizes that freedom and independence of broadcast media are essential to safeguarding freedom of speech and the right to true and accurate information.
The circular reiterates that broadcast freedom must be safeguarded for the proper role of broadcast media in a democratic society.
The NTC adopts the KBP as the self-regulatory body for the broadcast media in the Philippines.
The NTC emphasizes that program standards protect the public interest during normalcy and during armed conflict, public peril, calamity, or other national emergency.
The NTC supports the KBP’s injunction that broadcast stations must not use facilities to advocate the overthrow of government by force or violence.

The NTC adopts the existing KBP program standards as the applicable standards for radio and television broadcasting and cable television.
The adopted KBP standards are set forth in the KBP Radio and Television Codes and in other relevant KBP circulars.
The NTC explicitly includes KBP circulars, including KBP Circular 06-016 dated 27 February 2006.
The NTC reiterates and adopts all provisions of NTC Memorandum Circular No. 11-12-85 and Memorandum Circulars No. 22-89.
All broadcast media and cable TV entities must conform to the adopted program standards and circular provisions.

Broadcast stations must not allow their facilities to be used for advocating the overthrow of government by force or violence.
Broadcast stations must not broadcast materials that propose/incite treason, rebellion, sedition, or create a clear and present danger to the State.
Information about troop movements must be treated as highly sensitive for national defense and national security reasons.
Broadcast coverage of troop movements must exclude information that identifies the location of troops or provides/show identifiable land marks.
Broadcast coverage of troop movements must exclude information that gives troop estimates, identifies troop personnel, or identifies their destination or direction.

The circular recognizes the need for thoughtful and reasonable discretion in supervision of the broadcast and cable TV industries.
The circular requires fealty at all times to the observance of due process in the supervision and regulation of broadcast and cable TV industries.
The circular states it is both the government’s and broadcast media’s responsibility to know the accepted program standards.
The circular also recognizes the general public’s right to be informed of the accepted program standards.

Complaints against any KBP member must be immediately remanded to the KBP Standard Authority for consideration and adjudication when the complaints are directly filed with the DOTC or the NTC for violations of broadcast laws, NTC rules and regulations, and KBP Radio and Television codes and relevant circulars.
Complaints against any other broadcast entity must be acted upon by the NTC after due notice and hearing.
The complaint-remand rule applies specifically to violations of broadcast laws, NTC rules and regulations, and KBP Radio and Television codes and relevant circulars when the respondent is a KBP member.

All circular, memorandum, or order previously issued, including parts thereof, that are inconsistent with the circular are amended, revised, or repealed.
The circular’s effectivity is fifteen (15) days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

All broadcast media and cable TV entities must conform to the adopted guidelines and program standards.
Radio and television broadcasting stations and cable TV stations must observe the NTC’s adopted KBP Radio and Television Codes and relevant KBP circulars for the governing standards of responsible broadcasting.
The circular is issued for reference and guidance of radio and television broadcasting stations and cable TV stations and for information of the general public.