THE Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) wants to regulate movies, television shows and other content being streamed over Netflix and other streaming platforms.
Jonathan Presquito, MTRCB legal affairs division chief, said the board has jurisdiction over content shown on these platforms.
"Stream services like Netflix are video-on-demand platforms. We have to regulate those platforms. We have to ensure that those materials being shown on those platforms are compliant with MTRCB laws,” Presquito said during the joint Senate hearing Thursday, September 3, 2020, on Senate Bill (SB) no. 1591, or the proposed Internet Transactions Act.
“The MTRCB has jurisdiction of that content regardless kung saan mo siya makikita. The internet is just a medium. Just because sa internet siya pinalabas, hindi na siya covered ng MTRCB law,” he added.
The bill, authored by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, aims to protect online sellers and buyers as well as develop digital commerce as a viable and trustworthy medium of enterprise.
Gatchalian said a separate bill should be filed to regulate digital content and services.
The MTRCB, which is composed of 30 members, classifies television programs, motion pictures, and home videos. (Jove Moya/SunStar Philippines)