Law Summary

Introduction

This memorandum circular outlines revisions to the implementing rules and regulations of the Videogram Act, as established by the Board under the authority of Presidential Decree No. 1987. It provides guidelines for the review and classification of commercial videograms in the Philippines.

Amendments of the Review Rules and Procedures

SECTION 11: Matter Subject to Review

• Legal Principle: All commercial videograms must undergo review by the Board before any reproduction, distribution, sale, rental, or public exhibition.
• Key Definitions:
  • Commercial Videograms: Any videogram intended for public sale or exhibition.
• Requirements:
  • Submission of videogram content for review prior to any commercial activity.

SECTION 12: Statement of Intent

• Legal Principle: Motion pictures in videogram formats are eligible for approval regardless of topic, theme, or subject matter.
• Key Definitions:
  • Videogram Contents: Includes recordings from television programs and motion pictures.
• Important Procedures:
  • Content is reviewed based on contemporary Filipino values, providing parents with classifications to inform their decisions on viewing for children.
  • The Board evaluates the entirety of the content rather than isolated portions.
• Classification Criteria:
  • Considerations include treatment of theme, violence, language, nudity, and drug abuse.

SECTION 13: Review Standards

• Legal Principle: The Board assesses videogram content based on overall treatment rather than isolated elements.

• Key Definitions:

  • Objectionable Content: Includes anything deemed immoral, indecent, libelous, or contrary to law and good customs.

• Important Requirements:

  • The Board’s reviews focus on:
    • Glorification of criminality or crimes.
    • Libelous or defamatory content.
    • Promotion of drug trafficking.
    • Racial, religious, or cultural attacks.
    • Excessive violence or pornography.

• Guidelines for Pornographic Material:

  • Context: The relevance of scenes to the narrative.
  • Manner of Presentation: Importance of production values versus exploitative intent.
  • Intention: The underlying message conveyed by the filmmakers.
  • Culture: Respect for cultural representations without endorsing practices.

• Violence Assessment:

  • The Board will evaluate whether the material induces social harm or lacks redeeming value.
  • Example considerations include:
    • Brutality and violence against individuals or groups.
    • Graphic depictions of violence and its consequences.

Implementation Timeline

• Effective Date: The revisions take effect 15 days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation, as of December 17, 1998.

Key Takeaways

• All commercial videograms require pre-review by the Board to ensure compliance with ethical standards.
• The classification system aims to inform parents and uphold community values.
• The Board evaluates the entirety of content, focusing on treatment, intention, and cultural context rather than isolated scenes.
• The revised rules reflect a commitment to maintaining moral standards in media, with specific guidelines on objectionable content, particularly concerning pornography and violence.