BY NEIL RAMOS
The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) is seemingly on a roll.
After recently suspending for 28 airing days two shows on the Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), it has now prohibited the airing of "Private Convos with Doc Rica" on the One News Cable Channel, this, for supposedly appealing to the “prurient interest of the average person.”
Beyond that, the MTRCB is also prohibiting the “exportation, copying, distribution, sale, lease, exhibition” of the show in all media platforms within its jurisdiction.
In a statement, the MTRCB related how the decision came about, starting with their Monitoring and Inspection Unit (MIU) having been receiving numerous complaints relating the show, going on to flag in particular an episode that aired September 6 last year wherein show host Doc Rica allegedly discussed "sexual awakening" with her guest, during which explicit terms such as "self-masturbation, anal sex, and oral sex" were used.
In adherence to due process, those behind the show were immediately asked to appear before the MTRCB the same month to explain their position on the matter.
They supposedly asserted that the program is imbued with “educational and social value.”
The MTRCB demurred.
It maintained that the show’s use of explicit terms, coupled with the totality of actions and expressions of the host and her guest/s, “fall within materials which appeal to the prurient interest of the average person.”
The Board also raised concerns over the appropriateness of the show’s time slot considering its content.
“The Respondents are remiss for broadcasting the mentioned television program during Child-Viewing Hours, despite asserting that the Subject Episodes were merely used as fillers in the afternoon time slot,” it said.
“Additionally, the Respondents failed to implement the necessary MTRCB rating for the Television Program despite being aware that the subject matter is unsuitable for very young televiewers,” it added.
MTRCB Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer, Lala Sotto, maintained, "We unequivocally denounce any blatant disregard for the law. With the freedom to broadcast content comes a responsibility. We implore broadcasters and content providers to be circumspect and responsible in their creative processes, acknowledging the profound influence that on-screen content holds.”
