Closed Captioning Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 10905

December 8, 2016

MTRCB MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 004-16

 

WHEREAS, Republic Act (R.A.) No. 10905 entitled "An Act requiring all Franchise Holders or Operators of Television Stations and Producers of Television Programs to Broadcast or Present their Programs with Closed Captions Option, and for other purposes," mandates that all franchise holders or operators of television stations and producers of television programs to broadcast or present their programs with closed captions option;

WHEREAS, closed captions are created to assist the deaf or hard of hearing to assist in their comprehension and appreciation of television programs and motion pictures, these may also be used as a tool by those learning to read or learning to speak a non-native language, or effectively utilized in an environment where the audio is difficult to hear or is intentionally muted, as well as for the benefit of viewers who simply wish to read a transcript of the program audio;

WHEREAS, Section 5 of R.A. No. 10905 mandates the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board hereinafter referred to as the "Board" to promulgate the implementing rules and regulations (I.R.R.) within one hundred twenty (120) days from the date of effectivity of R.A. No. 10905, including guidelines, procedures, applications for exemption, system of warnings, penalties and appeals, and monitoring and compliance;

NOW, THEREFORE, the Board, after due deliberation and consultation with the National Telecommunications Commission, industry stakeholders, and other concerned agencies and entities, and taking into account the operative principles of closed captioning as provided for in R.A. No. 10905, hereby promulgates the enclosed Implementing Rules and Regulations of R.A. No. 10905.

This Circular shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its full and complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

APPROVED, by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board, in a meeting called for the purpose, on 08 December 2016 in Quezon City, Metro Manila.

RECOMMENDING APPROVAL:

(SGD.) JOSE ANTONIO K. VELOSOChairperson, Committee on IRR of R.A. 10905

(SGD.) ELIZABETH ROSE O. SIGUION-REYNAVice-Chairperson, Committee on IRR of R.A. 10905

APPROVED BY AUTHORITY OF THE BOARD:

(SGD.) EUGENIO H. VILLAREALChairperson