ABS-CBN reiterates KBP’s guidelines on proper treatment of children on TV to its TV shows

ABS-CBN Corporation recently reiterated to its TV
production staff, through its Office of the Network
Ombudsman, the guidelines of the Kapisanan ng mga
Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) on the proper treatment of
children in entertainment and variety programs, which
the network has been following since its implementation.
As a member of the KBP, ABS-CBN strictly adheres to
and abides by the code contained in the Broadcast Code
of the Philippines, adopted by the broadcast group 2007,
which the network ratified along with other KBP
members.
Some of the pertinent provisions remind TV networks that children should not be
required, coerced, or bribed to narrate traumatic experiences on shows. They shall not be
ridiculed, diminished, or demeaned; and camera angles should not be used to create
indecent and inappropriate images.
The ABS-CBN Ombudsman also restated to its TV production group the salient provisions
of the Republic Act 7610 or the“Special Protection of Children against Abuse, Exploitation
and Discrimination Act,” which the Broadcast Code of the Philippines also mandate
networks to comply with.
Child abuse, as defined in RA 7610, refers to the maltreatment, whether habitual or not, of
the child which include psychological and physical abuse, neglect, cruelty, sexual abuse
and emotional maltreatment. Any act by deeds or words which debases, degrades or
demeans the intrinsic worth and dignity of a child as a human being is also considered as
child abuse. Unreasonable deprivation of a child’s basic needs for survival, such as food
and shelter; as well as the failure to immediately give medical treatment to an injured child
resulting in serious impairment of his growth and development or in his permanent
incapacity or death are also violations to the aforementioned republic act.
“Special Protection of Children against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act,” under
Article V Section 9, also stated parameters whenever a child is involved in an indecent
show. It said that“Any person who shall hire, employ, use, persuade, induce or coerce a
child to perform in obscene exhibitions and indecent shows, whether live or in video, or
model in obscene publications or pornographic materials or to sell or distribute the said
materials shall suffer the penalty of prison mayor in its medium period.” The punishment
will be at its maximum period however, if the child used a performer is below 12 years of
age.
In the interest of self-regulation, ABS-CBN maintains an on-air monitoring team that views
all its programs and provides feedback to the program production teams on program
content. ABS-CBN also has a Call Monitoring System, which is a feedback mechanism that
allows its audience to inform the Kapamilya network of their comments, opinions or
suggestions on programs and talents. ABS-CBN viewers’ comments, negative or positive,
are forwarded to concerned production units for appropriate review and action.
Production units are mandated to regularly review the comments, evaluate them and
ensure that appropriate action is taken. A child protection handbook is likewise being
drafted by the Office of The Network Ombusdsman (ONO), headed by Retired Justice Jose
Vitug. It will contain standards, guidelines and operating procedures to cover the
employment of minors (below 18 years old), and news coverage involving children and
related matters.
The information re-issuance is in line with ABS-CBN's effort to strictly comply with
foregoing broadcasting rules and laws, and by virtue of a resolution of its Board of
Directors and the Network Ombudsman to uphold and promote proper treatment of
children on its various shows.