It is no longer a surprise when I read this news article about MTRCB suspending cable channels.
It also was no surprise that MTRCB still exists when they should have been dissolved a long time ago.
Anyway, this issue stems from the airing of Sky Cable and Destiny Cable of the TVE Channel and some "objectionable trailers." In the same report, MTRCB has also suspended the airing of the Wowow channel earlier this year.
I agree that what needs to be shown on TV has to be at least classified as Parental Guidance since children may be watching television anytime of the day (or night). However, I do not agree that a government body should dictate what needs to be shown or not shown on TV. It is the job of parents and/or legal guardian of minors to supervise what children can watch or not watch.
In short, I do not at all agree to the existence of MTRCB or any sensors body. The Philippine Constitution specifically protects anyone's right to press freedom and of expression.
While it is far fetched to think that sooner or later, any government body can dictate what is to be shown only on TV, it is also possible if we can't even protect our rights from abuses right now. Come to think about it, the government can later on create a scenario which it could require all media entities to air. Something like a self serving situation. The government may not do this at all, but it is possible that they can. The MTRCB is already practicing what can not be shown.
On the other hand, let us also realize that any cable company can not monitor all the channels they air 24/7. Most of these channels are produced by other entities and are fed via satellite so it is generally impossible to pre-screen what the viewing public may see.
Further, I believe that any businessman who operates a cable company is careful of what they air considering that any backlash from their viewers may prove to be fatal to them if by any chance their advertisers would disapprove of their business practices.
In the end, this is all about our rights. The right to press freedom and of expression.
MTRCB has to go!
