Mandatory Taping

News & Issues

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) is set to issue a memorandum circular defining the procedure for requesting recording of programs of broadcasting and CATV stations. The circular will amend NTC Memorandum Circular No. 11-09-2004 which requires broadcast stations to preserve a recording of their news and public affairs programs for 10 days and make them available to the NTC upon request or demand.

The new circular means to resolve a contentious issue between the NTC and the KBP. The KBP has always maintained that broadcast stations may not be compelled to give up recordings of their programs, especially when the recording is to be used in a case against them, unless there is a court order to do so. KBP has been receiving complaints from their members that local politicians are allegedly using Memorandum Circular No. 11-09-2004 to harass them by asking regional NTC offices to require their station to give up their program recording.

At the request of the KBP, the NTC decided to resolve the issue by amending Memorandum Circular No. 11-0902004. Under the new circular, any person who wants to file a complaint in court against a broadcast or CATV station may file a written request with the NTC to preserve the recording of a program longer period than the mandatory 10-day period. The NTC may then order the station to retain the recording for an additional 30 days to give to the complainant to formalize his complaint. However, the station will not be required to give up the recording unless ordered by the court.