LAWS AFFECTING ALL FORMS OF MASS

MEDIA PRACTICE
CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS ARTICLE III, BILL OF RIGHTS
1. Freedom of Expression
Sec. 4. No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of
the press, or right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for
redress of grievances
2. The Right to Information
Sec. 7. Access to official records, and to documents, and papers pertaining to official
acts, transactions, or decisions, as well as to government research data used as basis for
policy development
3. The Right to Privacy
Sec. 2. Inviolable: right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and
effects against unreasonable searches and seizures of whatever nature and for any purpose
NO search warrant or warrant of arrest shall issue except upon probable cause to
be determined personally by the judge
4. PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION ARTICLE II, SECTION 24:
The State recognizes the vital role of communication and information in nation building.
5. PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION ARTICLE III, SECTION 3
a. The privacy of communication and correspondence shall be inviolable except upon
lawful order of the court, or when public safety or order requires otherwise, as prescribed by
law.
b. Any evidence obtained in violation of this or the preceding section shall be inadmissible for
any purpose in any proceeding.
6. Libel Law (Article 353 of the Revised Penal Code of the Phil.)
A public and malicious imputation of a crime, or of a vice or defect, real or imaginary, or
any act, omission, condition, status or circumstances tending to discredit or cause the dishonor
or contempt of a natural or juridical person, or to blacken the memory of one who is dead.
7. Philippine Copyright Law Republic Act No. 8293
The law is partly based on United States copyright law and principles of the Berne
Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works. Unlike many other copyright
laws, Philippine copyright laws also protect patents, trademarks, and other forms of intellectual
property.
8. PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 1018 September 22, 1976
LIMITING THE OWNERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT OF MASS MEDIA TO CITIZENS
OF THE PHILIPPINES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Sec.1. The term "mass media" refers to the print medium of communication, which includes
all newspapers, periodicals, magazines, journals, and publications and all advertising therein,
and billboards, neon signs and the like, and the broadcast medium of communication, which
includes radio and television broadcasting in all their aspects and all other cinematographic or
radio promotions and advertising.
Sec. 2. The ownership and management of mass media shall be limited to citizens of the
Philippines, or to corporations or associations wholly owned and managed by such citizens.
Sec. 3. Any foreigner or alien residing in the Philippines and any foreign corporation doing
business in the Philippines who prints or publishes, or causes to be printed or published,
abroad any newspaper, magazine, periodical or other publication but circulates or causes the
circulation of the same in the Philippines shall be covered by or be subject to the provisions of
this Decree.
Sec. 4. Any person who publishes a newspaper, magazine, periodical or other publication
abroad and desires to circulate it in the Philippines shall do so through a Filipino citizen or a
firm or association wholly owned or controlled by citizens of the Philippines, and the said
distributor shall be responsible for compliance with any requirements of Philippine law, rules
or regulations and be liable for any criminal or civil action against the publication.
Sec. 5. Violation of the provisions of this decree shall subject the person or corporation guilty
of such violation to cancellation of its permit. 
In addition, any person found guilty of violating this Decree shall be punished by imprisonment of from
six (6) months to five (5) years or a fine of Ten Thousand (P10,000) Pesos, or both such fine and
imprisonment at the discretion of the Court. If the violation is committed by a corporation, the penalty
shall be imposed on the officers or employees thereof who were responsible for or who committed the
violation.
Sec. 6. All laws, decrees, orders, instructions and rules and regulations inconsistent herewith are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.
9. Presidential Decree No. 19867 (Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB)
The MTRCB is ostensibly a classificatory body. The board is empowered to approve or disapprove, delete
portions from or prohibit the importation, export, production, copying, distribution, sale, lease,
exhibition, and/or television broadcast of motion pictures, television programs and publicity materials
which in the opinion of the Board are objectionable for being immoral, indecent, contrary to law and/or
good customs, injurious to the prestige of the Philippines or its own people, or with a dangerous
tendency to encourage the commission of violence or of a wrong or crime.
10. Republic Act No. 9710, otherwise known as the Magna Carta of Women.
Sec.16. “The State shall formulate policies and programs for the advancement of women in
collaboration with government and non-government media-related organizations. It shall likewise
endeavor to raise the consciousness of the general public in recognizing the dignity of women and the
role and contribution of women in the family, community, and society through the strategic use of mass
media”.
11. Telecommunications Policy Act (1995)
A single entity cannot engage in both telecommunications and broadcasting under a single
franchise. This, however, does not prohibit an owner from getting a telecommunications franchise
separately from a broadcasting franchise. 
12. Fair Competition Act – the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC)
Should serve to monitor, prevent, or otherwise break up media monopolies. The Congress shall
regulate or prohibit monopolies in commercial mass media when the public interest so requires. No
combinations in restraint of trade or unfair competition therein shall be allowed.
13. Optical Media Board (OMB) R.A NO. 9239
Anti-Privacy a.k.a Videogram Regulatory Board (VRB), is assigned to regulate the manufacture
of optical media in all its forms and impose stiffer fines and penalties for its illegal reproduction.
14. E-Commerce Law
Protects mostly financial and commercial transactions online. It also covers hacking and illegal
downloading of copyrighted materials.
15. Section 11 of Article XII of the 1987 Constitution
“No franchise, certificate, or any other form of authorization for the operation of a public utility shall be
granted, except to citizens of the Philippines or to 8 corporations or associations organized under the laws of
the Philippines.”
16. Magna Carta of Women, Section 16 calls for Non-discriminatory and Non-derogatory Portrayal of Women in
Media and Film
The State shall formulate policies and programs for the advancement of women in collaboration with
government and non-government media-related organizations.
It shall likewise endeavor to raise the consciousness of the general public in recognizing the dignity of
women and the role and contribution of women in the family, community, and society through the
strategic use of mass media.
17. R.A NO. 10088 Anti-Camcording Law of 2010
Prevent the illegal video camera recording of movies in theaters.
18. R.A NO. 10175 Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012
Covers all other online anomalies such as identity theft, child pornography, data misuse, and
cybersquatting criminalizes libel in the online world.
19. R.A NO.3060 An Act Creating the Board of Censors for Motion Pictures
No person shall be appointed to the Board unless he is a native-born citizen of the Philippines,
not less than thirty-five years of age, of good moral standing in the community,
and not directly connected with the motion picture or television industries: 
Provided, That the President shall appoint as members of the Board at least three nominees from each
of the following:
(a) Professional organizations;
(b) Religious organizations;
(c) Educational associations;
(d) Child and/or Welfare organizations;
(e) Civic associations;
(f) Cultural organizations;
(g) Associations of newspapermen.
20. R.A NO. 10173 Data Privacy Act
Law that seeks to protect all forms of information, be it private, personal, or sensitive. It is meant to
cover both natural and juridical persons involved in the processing of personal information.