Module 8 - Ethics in Broadcast

BROADCAST STANDARDS

  • Presenters:

    • Atty. Rejie Jularbal

      • General Counsel, KBP

      • VP Legal and Regulatory Compliance, MBC

      • Station Manager, DZRH

TECHNICAL STANDARDS

  • Objective: Improve broadcast services for the public

  • Key Regulations:

    • Limitation of transmitter power to prevent interference

    • Implementation of guards on propagation

    • Ensuring quality of broadcast through proper modulation

  • Operational Regulations:

    • Personnel must be qualified to operate and maintain broadcast equipment

ETHICAL STANDARDS IN BROADCAST JOURNALISM

  • Definition of Broadcast Ethics:

    • Principles of morality and refinement that guide the conduct of broadcast journalists

CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS & ETHICAL PRACTICES

  • Balance between individual rights and others' rights:

    • "Our rights end where the rights of others begin"

STATE AND BROADCAST JOURNALISTS

  • Freedom of press and speech is limited by National Security

    • The state’s right to survival imposes limitations on constitutional rights

BASIS FOR STATE REGULATION

  • Broadcasting uses airwaves, a natural resource

    • Broadcast media must further the interests of the state and enhance quality of life for Filipinos

BROADCAST JOURNALIST & PRIVATE PERSONS

  • Rights every person has:

    • Life, liberty, property, pursuit of happiness

    • Human rights include privacy, dignity, protection against harassment and exploitation

    • Special rights exist for women, children, and persons with disabilities

SUMMARY OF LIMITATIONS

  • Main limitations include:

    • Rights of the State to survive (National Security)

    • Individual and human rights governed by laws

    • Social norms

THE KBP CODE OF ETHICS

  • Essence: To ensure responsible use of broadcast media through self-regulation

TRUTH & ACCURACY

  • Importance of truthfulness:

    • Verify news sources

    • Handle unverified news cautiously

RIGHT TO RESPOND

  • Encouraged to maintain absence of bias

    • Legislation pending to formalize right to respond

    • Journalists urged to observe ethical standards

RESPECT FOR PRIVACY

  • Distinctions:

    • Public figures vs. private individuals

    • Focus on issues over personalities

    • Avoid sensationalism

CRIME SCENES & CRISIS SITUATIONS

  • Guidelines for reporting:

    • Draw distinctions between news coverage and engaging in events

COVERAGE GUIDELINES

  • Ethical responsibilities in crisis reporting:

    • No interference with authorities

    • Avoid revealing critical information that may endanger lives

    • Sensitivity towards identities and mental conditions of individuals involved

COVERAGE CONSIDERATIONS

  • Ensure coverage does not endanger lives in active situations, such as hostage scenarios

  • Avoid causing undue emotional distress to victims' families

  • Victims' identities should not be revealed until authorized by authorities

  • Custodial individuals should not be publicly identified unless a legal complaint is filed

RELIGION, CULTURE & ETHNICITY

  • Respecting diversity arising from historical geographical backgrounds in the Philippines

  • Broadcasters must be mindful of geographical boundaries affecting their audience

ETHNIC AND RELIGIOUS PROFILING

  • This practice violates human rights and is condemned by various jurisdictions

ACCOUNTABILITY

  • Broadcasters hold responsibility to the entire community, differentiating between personal bias and public expression

WOMEN & CHILDREN IN BROADCAST MEDIA

  • Responsibilities of media:

    • Treat women and children with respect and dignity

    • Ensure gender sensitivity and equal opportunities

STATE POLICY ON FAMILY

  • Constitutional recognition of the sanctity of family life

    • The state protects and supports family as a social institution

CHILDREN'S RIGHTS AND PROTECTION

  • Filipinos' commitment to the Convention on the Rights of the Child

    • Uphold principles of child rights in legislation

PRINCIPLES REGARDING CHILDREN

  • Children's rights to privacy must be safeguarded

  • Uphold highest ethical standards in child-related reporting

  • Ensure children's dignity is always respected

  • Encourage children's access to media and their voices

GUIDELINES FOR REPORTING ON CHILDREN

  • Best interests of the child take priority in all media undertakings

  • Care must be taken not to identify child victims or offenders inappropriately

  • Importance of ongoing recovery and rehabilitation of minors in media narratives

TREATMENT OF WOMEN IN BROADCAST

  • Gender sensitivity and dignity in media discourse

  • Affirmation of women's rights in various media portrayals

PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (PWDs)

  • Mandatory use of appropriate language and terminology

  • Ensure dignity is afforded to PWDs in broadcasts

GUIDELINES ON SEX AND OBSCENITY

  • Explicit content in media must adhere to community standards

    • Prohibitions against explicit depictions and language of sex, nudity, and vulgarity

ON-AIR LANGUAGE RESTRICTIONS

  • Prohibition of vulgar or indecent language on-air

  • Violent or inciting language is strictly forbidden

  • Name-calling or personal insults not acceptable

ON-AIR DECORUM

  • Expectations for on-screen personas in terms of attire and behavioral standards

  • Prohibition on humiliating or embarrassing individuals on live programming

PRODUCTION TECHNIQUE ETHICS

  • Avoidance of indecent imagery in broadcasting

  • Persons under the influence are barred from appearing on-air

RESPONSIBILITY IN BROADCAST MEDIA

  • Acknowledgment of the power of broadcast media to influence human values, accompanied by accountability for consequences as emphasized by the War Crimes Tribunal for Rwanda in 1994.