MTRCB: No plan to censor Netflix

MANILA, Philippines — The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board will not censor the content of the movies and shows on Netflix and other video-on-demand (VOD) providers in the country, but has asked them to ensure that these materials are age-appropriate and adhere to Filipino values, the MTRCB head has said.

MTRCB chairperson Rachel Arenas said Netflix has expressed willingness to comply with the MTRCB’s guidelines, which is still being crafted and discussed with stakeholders.

“We were not censoring. I hope that you don’t see MTRCB as a censorship board… We’re asking the VOD providers (to) do self-regulation with the parameters set forth by law,” Arenas said in a recent interview with The Chiefs on Cignal TV’s One News.

“There’s nothing actually to fear in terms of saying that we will curtail your freedom to choose. We just want the VOD providers to align with our classification,” she added.

The MTRCB plan to regulate video streaming platforms operating in the Philippines received widespread criticisms, with the House of Representatives warning of its abolition.

But Arenas said their intent is “really for the protection of the viewers.”

“If, for example, the parents would want their minors to watch it, then that’s their responsibility already. But as the responsibility of the MTRCB implementing the law, to make sure that the materials are age-appropriate, then we did our job,” she said.

Arenas urged the VOD providers operating in the country to register with the MTRCB to ensure that materials “are age-appropriate; no content prohibited by law is shown, and are not pirated.”

“This (plan to regulate) is not yet cast in stone. We will have to wait for them to read our guidelines. They’re (VOD) amenable to our proposal. Since you’re doing business here in the Philippines, and you have a lot of subscribers coming from the Philippines, can we ask you to, you know in good faith, register with us,” Arenas said.

Malacañang advised the MTRCB to “carefully evaluate” the reactions to its bid to regulate online video streaming services like Netflix, which has been described by critics as “regulatory overstretch.”

The MTRCB plan to regulate online streaming platforms has sparked outrage, with some lawmakers calling it “imbecilic” and threatening to abolish or cut the agency’s budget if it insists on regulating online streaming services.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. yesterday said President Duterte does not micro manage agencies but called on the MTRCB to consider the views of critics, including lawmakers who have the power to decide on its budget.

“We respect the decision of chairman Rachel Arenas and members of MTRCB. My only suggestion is, Ma’am Rachel, during budget season, it may be difficult to disregard what Congress is saying, especially now that the Speaker of the House has spoken,” Roque said at a press briefing.

“While the President does not micro manage, (MTRCB) should consider the suggestions of lawmakers because they are the ones who will decide on the budget of agencies. It is also their duty to ensure that the money of the people is spent properly. So my suggestion is evaluate carefully, especially the opinion of Speaker Alan Cayetano that it is not necessary,” he added.

Cayetano has described MTRCB’s plan as “ridiculous” and “mind-boggling,” noting that it was floated as the Philippines faced a lot of challenges. – Alexis Romero