On giving tips via radio programs KBP monitors members vs swertres promo

TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines — The local chapter of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) assured to implement self-regulation over radio anchors who are promoting swertres by giving tips through their radio programs.    

KBP-Bohol chapter chairman Lito Responte informed the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) that concerned citizens can help by raising a legitimate complaint before the standards authority at the local level.    

KBP and the Bohol office of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) will be drafting the guidelines and will give an update during the next meeting of the PPOC in February.    

PIA-Bohol manager Rey Anthony Chiu said there is no need for the Provincial Board to come up with an ordinance to address concerns about radio anchors who are giving tips to encourage listeners to bet on swertres.    

Responte and Chiu said the KBP will act on complaints raised against member-stations. Chiu said there is no need to elevate particular concerns to the national level, since the standards authority of KBP-Bohol is the one in charge of resolving local issues concerning local members.    

KBP has 36 active local chapters in all regions composed of the local station managers, general managers and representatives, Responte said.    

It is clarified that “broadcast companies which allow coverage of gambling activities are not qualified to be members, considering that KBP’s Code of Ethics prohibit coverage of gambling activities, even if these are legal, although results thereof can be the subject of announcements.”    

Responte said some government stations which cover or air gambling activities are not KBP members because of this prohibition. KBP is allowed to self-regulate based on Presidential Decree 1784 issued in 1981 that abolished the Broadcast Media Council but authorized the establishment of a self-regulatory body.    

“It took cognizance of the KBP’s role in the broadcast industry and provided the legal basis for the KBP to be a self-regulatory body,” Responte said.     

KBP has implemented self-regulation through its quasi-judicial body which is the Standards Authority that is “specifically tasked to conduct investigations and hear complaints for violations of the Code of Ethics and other rules and regulations. The SA can decide on the cases and impose sanctions, said Responte.

KBP-Bohol cited the KBP Broadcast Code of the Philippines Article 18 entitled Gambling and Betting, particularly Section 5 which states that “the announcement of results and schedules of horseracing, cockfighting, lotteries and jai-alai may be allowed only for those which have been duly authorized by law.

However, the announcement of tips is prohibited. Section 6 also stated that “the announcement of tips, results, and schedules of illegal gambling activities is prohibited.” (FREEMAN)