MTRCB seeks to regulate online streaming sites

The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) is seeking to regulate of contents of online streaming sites like Netflix and Amazon Prime.

File photo: Netflix app

MTRCB seeks to regulate the content of streaming sites

During the Senate's deliberation of the agency's proposed 2023 budget, MTRCB Chairperson Diorella Maria Sotto-Antonio said that their jurisdiction currently covers only television and movies, ABS-CBN News reported.

This is based on President Decree No. 1986, which created the MTRCB.

With regards to online streamers, hindi pa siya nasasaklaw. Kaya kailangan amyehndahan ang PD 1986, if we want to include the online streamers, Sotto-Antonio pointed out.

Under PD 1986, the agency is mandated to regulate and classify movies, television programs, and related publicity and/or promotional materials in categories like "G" for general audience, "PG" for parental guidance, and "SPG" for strong parental guidance.

Currently, Antonio said Netflix and Amazon Prime have been coordinating with the MTRCB regarding their content despite the agency not having jurisdiction over the said companies.

In 2020, the same idea was also raised.

See also: MTRCB calls for video streaming services to apply PH rating system

Based on a CNN Philippines report, MTRCB legal affairs chief Jonathan Presquito said the distribution of unrated motion pictures is considered illegal under the PD. No material should be sold or distributed in the country without getting approval from the board, he added.

He noted that the law defines motion pictures as a series of pictures projected on a screen or any medium, may they have a color or not, may they be silent or not.

Meanwhile, the Senate Committee on Finance also approved on Tuesday the board's proposed budget for next year at PHP 112 million. However, the funding does not include the budget for updating MTRCB's monitoring services.

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Source: ABS-CBN News, CNN Philippines