Angelica Panganiban slams MTRCB’s proposed regulation of streaming services
Image: Instagram/@iamangelicap
Angelica Panganiban has spoken up against the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board’s (MTRCB) proposal to regulate video content on streaming platforms.
The actress took to Twitter earlier today, Sept. 4, to slam the MTRCB’s move which, she said, would “kill the industry.”
“Grabe na din. Pati streaming gusto na pakelaman. Papatayin niyo na talaga ang industriya (This is too much. You even want to go after streaming now. You are really going to kill the industry),” Panganiban lamented.
“Inuna niyo ang free tv. Bukas pag gising natin, north korea na to (First, you went after free television. Tomorrow, when we wake up, this will already be North Korea),” she added.
Grabe na din. Pati streaming gusto na pakelaman. Papatayin niyo na talaga ang industriya. Inuna niyo ang free tv. Bukas pag gising natin, north korea na to.
— Angelica Panganiban (@angelica_114) September 4, 2020
She further stated in the following tweet that the government is trampling on the entertainment industry’s freedom to tell stories.
“Bakit ba takot na takot kayo sa media at entertainment? Una press freedom… ngayon pati kalayaan namin gumawa at mag kwento, totoo man o pagpapanggap, gusto niyong kontrolin,” Panganiban said.
(Why are you so afraid of media and entertainment? First, you went for press freedom… now, even our freedom to create and tell stories, real or fictional, you want to control.)
“Tinatamaan ba kayo? Kasi masyadong malapit sa totoong buhay ang napapanood niyo (Were you guys hurt? Because the stories you watch are too close to real life)?” she added.
Bakit ba takot na takot kayo sa media at entertainment? Una press freedom… ngayon pati kalayaan namin gumawa at mag kwento, totoo man o pagpapanggap, gusto niyong kontrolin. Tinatamaan ba kayo? Kasi masyadong malapit sa totoong buhay ang napapanood niyo?
— Angelica Panganiban (@angelica_114) September 4, 2020
The supposed need to regulate streaming services was highlighted by MTRCB’s legal affairs division chief Jonathan Presquito during a Senate trade committee hearing on the Internet Transactions Act yesterday, Sept. 3.
Presquito, a lawyer, claimed that there is a “necessity” for the MTRCB to regulate these services as films and shows available on them are unrated and may not be compliant with the board’s law.
He also pointed out that MTRCB law covers all motion-picture content regardless of the platform or medium, stating that the internet is just one of these.
Sen. Franklin Drilon, meanwhile, is one of those opposed to the proposal, stressing that it is “very impractical” as there are thousands of video content online.
“It’s very impractical. There are thousands of shows on Netflix alone—how will MTRCB review each one? Can the MTRCB review every single content that can be accessed through the internet?” he said in a statement released today.
Drilon said the regulation of video streaming content would be “very impractical” and that the MTRCB should allow these platforms to self-regulate. https://t.co/ZLnIWz5Fl5 pic.twitter.com/bzDr6PIEdD
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 4, 2020
Panganiban, who has lately been vocal on social and political issues, is among the staunch critics of the government’s move to deny ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal bid.
The actress last May also stressed the importance of freedom of expression, especially for artists, when the Kapamilya network was still facing the threat of being shut down.
“Naniniwala ako na mahalaga ang kalayaan sa katulad kong artista. Ang maipahayag ang saloobin nang buong tapang at walang halong takot,” she said in a livestream protest on May 12.
(I believe that freedom is important for an artist like me. To be able to express our thoughts with full courage and without fear.)
“At bilang isang artista ng bayan, tayo ang magsisilbing boses sa mga hindi makapagsalita, tenga para sa mga hindi makarinig at mata para sa mga hindi nakakakita,” she added.
(As artists of the nation, we serve as voices for those who cannot speak, ears for those who cannot listen and eyes for those who cannot see.) /ra
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