CHILDREN''S TELEVISION ACT OF 1997

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of the Children's Television Act of 1997

Objectives and Policies (Section 2):
- Promote and protect the well-being of children through educational, cultural, and recreational programs.
- Recognize the impact of television programs on children's value formation and intellectual development.
- Ensure that television activities serve the interests and welfare of Filipinos.

Definitions (Section 3):
- Children: Persons below 18 years old.
- Children's television: Programs specifically designed for children.
- Child-friendly programs: Programs not designed for children but further their positive development.
- Child-viewing hours: Appropriate hours for children to watch television.

National Council for Children's Television (NCCT) (Sections 4-6):
- Established under the Office of the President.
- Composed of 5 members appointed by the President for 3-year terms.
- Represents sectors like academe, media, child development, parents, and NGOs.
- Has a secretariat headed by an Executive Director.
- Assisted by an Advisory Committee composed of government agencies and industry groups.

Functions of the NCCT (Section 7):
- Formulate policies and priorities for children's television programming.
- Promote and encourage production and broadcasting of appropriate programs through a national endowment fund (Section 12).
- Monitor, review, and classify children's programs and advertisements during child-viewing hours.
- Formulate standards for television programs during child-viewing hours.
- Conduct research and disseminate results on television and Filipino children.
- Promote media education in formal and non-formal settings.
- Monitor implementation of the Act and recommend enforcement of sanctions for violations.
- Recommend legislative measures and incentives for quality local children's programs.
- Act on complaints and initiate prosecution of violators.

Comprehensive Media Program for Children (Section 8):
- The NCCT shall submit a comprehensive program within 1 year of the Act's effectivity.
- The program shall formulate policies, plans, and priorities for children's media programs.
- It shall prescribe criteria for evaluating programs and establishing a Television Violence Rating Code.
- The NCCT shall be guided by "The Charter of Children's Television" standards.

Air Time Allotment (Section 9):
- A minimum of 15% of the daily total air time of each broadcasting network shall be allotted for child-friendly shows.

Implementing Rules and Regulations (Section 10):
- The NCCT shall issue necessary rules and regulations within 90 days after the Act's effectivity.

Penalty (Section 11):
- The NCCT shall petition for suspension, revocation, or cancellation of licenses of television stations violating the Act.

National Endowment Fund for Children's Television (Section 12):
- A fund of P60 million (P30 million from PCSO and P30 million from PAGCOR) is created.
- The fund aims to develop and produce high-quality, culturally relevant, and developmentally appropriate programs for Filipino children.
- Access to the fund is through a grant application process for qualified producers and organizations.
- Copyright for programs developed with the fund will be jointly owned by the NCCT and producers.
- Priority is given to independent producers and organizations without access to national network resources.
- The NCCT can accept grants, contributions, or donations for the fund, exempted from taxes.

Appropriations (Section 13):
- P5 million is appropriated from the National Treasury for the NCCT's initial operating expenses.
- Subsequent budgets shall be included in the General Appropriations Act.