KBP revises its Broadcast Code in reaction to "Jan-jan Incident"

Thursday, 07 July 2011 07:14

Written by Resti Reyes. Jr.

Sometimes something good comes out of something bad. Such is the case with the (in)famous case of the macho-dancing Jan-jan in the erstwhile popular primetime program on TV5 called “Willing Willie.”

After all the many public condemnations and reactions to the incident, including threats of boycotts by both sides – the consumers vowing to boycott the products of advertisers who do not pull out of the show, and the counter threat boycott of Willie’s supporters to boycott those same advertisers of they do pull out – the national leadership of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) tasked its powerful Standards Authority (KBP-SA) to review the Broadcast Code and recommend revisions as they see fit, particularly in relation to the provisions of the Code involving children in broadcasting. Many consultative sessions were held, involving the networks and other concerned parties, including the government agencies such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Justice (DOJ).

And so, in its last General Membership meeting held last June 15, 2011, the members of the largest broadcast organization in the country approved the recommended changes in the Code. The revisions are now formally amended into the Code and a circular dated June 28, 2011 advised all members of the national organization to observe these new additions to the rules enshrined in the Broadcast Code of the Philippines:

1.Under Article 3. COVERAGE INVOLVING CHILDREN

a.SECTION 1. The child’s dignity must be respected at all times. The child should not be demeaned or his/her innocence be exploited. (taken from the DOJ guidelines)
b.The personal circumstances of the child that will tend to sensationalize his/her life must be avoided.
c.There should be a conscious effort to avoid sensationalizing, stereotyping, prejudging or exploiting children with disabilities or children belonging to minority or indigenous groups.

2.Under Article 11. CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS AND WELFARE

a.SECTION 1. The airing of programs that would help children to develop to their full physical, mental, and social potential as well as attain psychological, emotional and spiritual maturity shall be encouraged.
b.SECTION 6. Children’s programs should promote values that would help children to become responsible citizens. Such values include respect for authority and law and order, good manners, love of God and country, a sense of duty, and the proper concept of courage.
c.SECTION 11. Children should not be made to perform acts, use language, or put on attire that are vulgar, obscene, indecent, or inappropriate for children.

- There was some discussion here on the floor before this was approved, on what should be the guidelines for what may be considered “vulgar, obscene, or indecent” – inasmuch as these are subjective elements; hence the inclusion of the last criterion, “inappropriate” as a more realistic guideline.

d. SECTION 12. Children should not be made to engage in hazardous activities or behavior.

- It should be noted that this item on hazardous activities applies to the actual activities of children in the performance of their roles as artists or talents in a show during filming of the show. It does not apply to dangerous scenes as they might appear on television, for as we all know, there are many camera tricks and special effects that can be employed to show, for example that a child is about to fall from a cliff.

3.Under Article 17. QUIZ SHOWS, CONTESTS, PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROGRAMS AND PROMOTIONS
a.SECTION 5. Programs in general should avoid sensationalizing, stereotyping, prejudging or exploiting children with disabilities or children belonging to minority or indigenous groups.