Irresponsible journalism?

When a broadcaster from one station lambasts a fellow broadcaster from a competing network, somebody has got to act, and fast.

The Radio Code, promulgated by the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas as an attestation of its members’ ability to self-regulate, is very clear. Section A of the Code clearly states that "personal attacks against fellow broadcasters and other stations are considered unethical and subject to sanctions. Management shall jointly and severally be liable with the speaker for any utterances on-the-air, using the facilities of the station."

The same code also provides that "contents of commentary and analysis programs shall be limited to valid issues affecting public interest and concern. Personal attacks, insults and harassments are prohibited."

GMA-7’s Startalk host Rosanna Roces was suspended for vulgar talk by KBP. ABS-CBN suspended the hosts of its noontime shows for certain utterances on television. We, however, have yet to hear of KBP imposing sanctions on erring members.

One of the country’s biggest networks has filed a complaint with the KBP against a radio commentator from a rival network when the latter maligned the complainant as ‘mayabang and sinungaling.’ However, until now, no action has been taken by KBP.

Freedom with responsibility – that is the true broadcaster‘s creed, according to the KBP. It’s about time that somebody learns his lesson.

Going, going...

How true is it that the chief executive of a broadcasting network has only a few months remaining before he starts looking for another job?

You see, this well-respected executive, for the longest time, has not seen eye to eye with the owners of the company. Professional jealousy, maybe.

His exit will be a very big loss to the company, which under his leadership has grown by leaps and bounds. His name, in fact, has become synonymous to the organization.

There are rumors that one of the top lady executives is being groomed for the position that will be declared vacant soon. This pretty executive is said to be very good at her job, but lacks people skills.

Debate continues

Speaking of KBP, both Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza and National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) chief Armi Jane Borje have promised the group that the decision on the proposal to reduce the frequency separation between FM stations to only 400 kilohertz (from the present 800 khz) will be arrived at fairly and objectively.

This assurance came in in the face of strong pressures from some congressmen on the NTC to reduce the frequency spacing. According to the congressmen, this move will allow for more players to come in, but the KBP has warned that this will mean the death of the FM radio industry.

The House committee on transportation and communications, headed by Rep. Jacinto Paras, and the committee on legislative franchises, chaired by Rep. Miguel Zubiri, have been conducting joint hearings to look into the policies of the NTC in the granting of radio frequencies.

During the initial hearing, Borje already told the two committees that the NTC needs six months to study and submit its recommendations on the proposal to narrow the frequency spacing of FM stations. Despite this, the two committees continued to hold hearings on the issue and some of its members even appeared to be pressuring the NTC to come up with a decision favoring the 400 kilohertz separation.

Lawyer Rudolph Jularbal, chairman of the KBP legal committee, had written the two congressional committees asking that the NTC be given sufficient time to complete its technical study on the issue, considering that its decision would have a significant impact on the interest of the public.

The KBP has been opposing the proposal to reduce the FM frequency spacing to 400 khz because it will result in poorer signal quality for listeners, set back the development of the radio broadcasting industry, and pose a threat to public safety.

The group added that allowing a frequency separation of 400 khz between stations in the same market will cause stations to violate the standards recommended by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and those adopted by the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The standards adopted by both the NTC and the KBP are based on both the ITU and FCC standards.

For comments, complaints, observations, e-mail at [email protected]