FILE

The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) announced on Tuesday, January 30, the prohibition of the television program "Private Convos with Doc Rica" on One News Cable Channel. This decision comes in response to the show airing an episode that contravene MTRCB's rating regulations.

In a ruling made on January 24, the MTRCB stated, "The airing, exportation, reproduction, distribution, sale, lease, exhibition, and/or broadcast of the television program 'Private Convos with Doc Rica' on all media platforms under MTRCB jurisdiction are hereby prohibited, effective upon finality of this decision."

The MTRCB's action followed an Incident Report submitted by the Monitoring and Inspection Unit (MIU) to MTRCB Chairperson on August 24, 2023, highlighting the episode's inclusion of discussions on personal experiences and sexual fantasies, accompanied by the use of inappropriate language.

Numerous complaints were also received by the Board, primarily from concerned parents. A Notice to Appear was issued on September 28, 2023, directing the respondents to testify before the MTRCB Hearing and Adjudication Committee.

Respondents sent their representatives and were instructed by the MTRCB to submit their position papers. After a thorough examination of the case and position papers, it was established that the program had violated provisions of the law, particularly Section 3(c) of Presidential Decree No. 1986 (PD 1986) and Section 2, Chapter IV, in relation to Section 8, Chapter V of the PD's Implementing Rules and Regulations.

The MTRCB strongly emphasized that the program's format delved into explicit themes related to the sexual awakening of its guests, leading to overt storytelling of intimate experiences and the use of inappropriate language on television.

MTRCB Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer, Lala Sotto, condemned any clear violation of the law and stressed the responsibility that comes with free broadcasting. She urged broadcasters and content creators to be cautious and responsible in their creative processes, recognizing the influence of on-screen content.

The MTRCB ruled that the content of the episode, with explicit terms and the host and guests' coarse actions and expressions in the program's context, "falls under materials that appeal to lascivious views of the common people."

Additionally, the Board disagreed with the respondents' statement that the program, as a whole, holds "educational and social value." The importance of appropriateness in medium and time slot for broadcasting, regardless of episode content, especially sensitive discussions about sexual experiences and the use of inappropriate language, was emphasized.

The Board also underscored the respondents' failure to adhere to the MTRCB Rating for TV programs, violating Section 2, Chapter IV, in relation to Section 8, Chapter V of PD 1986. "The respondents fell short of their obligation to air the mentioned Television program within Child-Viewing Hours, even if they claimed that the Subject Episodes were only used as fillers in the afternoon," stated the MTRCB. "The respondents did not comply with the MTRCB Rating guidelines for TV programs, knowing that it is not suitable for young viewers."