Providing for the Source of Funds for the Media Advisory Council

May 22, 1973

PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 197

PROVIDING FOR THE SOURCE OF FUNDS FOR THE MEDIA ADVISORY COUNCIL

WHEREAS, the Media Advisory Council, created under Presidential Decree No. 191 dated May 11, 1973, has assumed the functions and duties of the Mass Media Council to pass upon all applications of mass media for Certificates of Authority to Operate and to issue and promulgate rules, regulations and such other guidelines, subject to the approval of the President, as may be necessary for the operation of mass media;

WHEREAS, the mass media in the Philippines has received favorably the creation of the Media Advisory Council as its own self-regulatory body and has shown willingness to institute a system of self-regulation and internal discipline within their ranks to the end that no part of media may consciously or unconsciously engage or take part in any conspiracy against the Government, or any of its duly constituted authorities; casia

WHEREAS, the international press has overwhelmingly hailed the institution of a self-regulatory measure for mass media in the Philippines as a bold step towards the laying down of a rational code of ethics to help the emergence of enlightened newspapers which, in time, can play a meaningful role in maintaining law and order as well as in accelerating economic progress in the Philippines;

WHEREAS, the Media Advisory Council, for the full and proper implementation of its functions and duties, has been authorized to set up a secretariat which shall perform such functions and duties as may be entrusted to it by that Council;

WHEREAS, it is imperative that the Media Advisory Council, along with its secretariat, be provided with the necessary source of funds with which to finance its operations in the discharge of its duties and functions under the law;

WHEREAS, the leaders of the mass media industry and allied enterprises have expressed a desire to underwrite the expenses of the Media Advisory Council.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers in me vested by the Constitution as Commander-in-Chief of all the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and pursuant to Proclamation No. 1081 dated September 21, 1972, and General Order No. 1 dated September 22, 1972, as amended, do hereby order and decree the amendment of Presidential Decree No. 191 dated May 11, 1973, as follows:

"The Media Advisory Council is hereby further authorized to charge a yearly fee on all media establishments under its jurisdiction in an amount corresponding to not more than One-Tenth (1/10) of one per cent (1%) of their revenue collections: Provided, however, That subject to prior approval of the President of the Philippines, the said yearly fee may be increased to not more than one half (1/2) of one (1%) percent, if the income derived by the Media Advisory Council should be inadequate to underwrite its operations: Provided, further, That all excess funds collected from such fees shall be utilized only for the establishment and operations of a Media Foundation of the Philippines: And provided, finally, That the books of the Media Advisory Council shall be audited periodically by a reputable accounting firm. acd

"All government agencies as well as all media establishments are hereby enjoined to extend their utmost assistance and cooperation to the Media Advisory Council."

This Decree is hereby made part of the law of the land and shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 22nd day of May, in the year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Seventy-Three.