4 Senate panels OK bill requiring streaming services to register with MTRCB

Logo and graphic image from MTRCB website.

A joint Senate panel has recommended the approval of a measure that would expand the mandate and scope of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) to include online streaming services.

Senate Bill No. 2805 was contained in Committee Report No.  311, prepared by  four panels— public information and mass media, ways and means, finance, and games and amusement.

The proposed law seeks to strengthen and expand “the mandate, capabilities and organizational structure” of the regulatory body.

As stipulated in the bill, the MTRCB’s task of screening, review and examination of movies and other materials for  public viewing would cover those “streamed through on-demand online streaming services and any other  technology of similar nature.”

The measure defines on-demand online streaming services as “streaming media services that include online curated content services/platforms that are publicly offered and accessible to the users through the internet.”

“The users will need an internet connection to stream or download the video content that may be viewed offline,” it further said.

Under the bill, on-demand streaming services would be required the following:

* Register with the MTRCB in order to operate in the Philippines

* Comply with the provisions of the measure

* Provide informative descriptions, both in English and Filipino languages, of the ratings and classifications on the content offered to further assist users in making informed decisions regarding their viewing choices

* Ensure that appropriate classifications and ratings are prominently displayed to notify users on all the content offered. The same shall also be displayed at the commencement of the movies, television programs, and series including their publicity materials such as advertisements, trailers, and similar materials.

* Submit to the  MTRCB a comprehensive list of all the content offered in its service, accompanied by their respective classifications and ratings.

* Implement appropriate safety measures for the users to restrict content and control access for parental control or for different users taking into consideration the appropriateness of classification and ratings

* Establish a mechanism that allows users to submit feedback within the on-demand streaming services on the compliance of the movie, television program, or series corresponding to the classifications and ratings displayed.

* Ensure comprehensive contact information, which includes the name of the person in charge, email address, landline, and cellphone numbers, as well as the physical address in the Philippines, for both the regulatory board and the on-demand streaming services.

* Establish an effective mechanism to act timely to users’ complaints or inquiries on classifications and ratings in accordance with the provisions of the measure and to report promptly to the MTRCB on the said complaint or inquiries and the action taken thereon; and,

* Provide a frequently asked question on the foregoing and help center accessible to the users.

If enacted into  law,  violators may  face not just a criminal penalty but administrative sanctions.

These include the suspension, non-renewal or cancellation of the licenses or permits; suspension of TV programs; closure of movie theaters, TV stations, cable television networks, establishments, or entities engaged in the public viewing of movies, TV programs and publicity materials; and the blocking of on-demand streaming services that violate the provisions of the measure.

Also under the bill, the MTRCB  would have the power to issue subpoena, cite in contempt persons or entities “willfully disregarding its process,” and direct appropriate government agencies to enforce its decisions and issuances.