A Summary of Broadcast Code of the 

Philippines
PART I. PROGRAM STANDARDS
Article 1 – News and Public Affairs

 The objective is very clear on the news programs that should aim primarily to inform the public
on important current events and issues rather than merely to entertain.
 News reports shall be fair, factual, and objective.
 On news sources, care must be taken in selecting news sources.
 Only news that can be attributed to a source shall be aired.
 Unconfirmed reports shall not be aired unless there is an immediate and urgent need for the
public to know about them, such as when the public needs to be warned of the possibility of an
imminent danger. And must be verified soon after it was aired.
 News interviews must be presented in the proper context. Replies of interviewees to questions
must not be edited in a way that would distort their intended meaning.
 Unconventional news gathering and reporting may be obtained are broadcast, this must be
presented fairly, factually and in the proper context.
 Archived or file video, photo, and audio materials should be properly labeled when aired and
must not be presented in a manner that may cause the public to mistake them as the broadcast
of a live or more recent event.
 The presentation of news and commentaries must always be in good taste.
 Station editorials shall be clearly identified as such and the station assumes responsibility for
the views expressed in them. And prepared only by a competent person.
Article 2 – ANALYSIS AND COMMENTARIES

 The airing of public affairs programs and commentaries is encouraged, particularly to give the
public the opportunity to participate in discussions of current issues, concerns and events.
 It should only be handled by a competent person.
 It helps people to enlighten on a particular issue and the like.
 

Article 3 – COVERAGE INVOLVING CHILDREN

 The child’s dignity must be respected at all times. The child should not be demeaned or his/her
innocence be exploited.
 Child victims, child suspects, children accused of a crime, children arrested or detained on
suspicion of wrong-doing, and children that are undergoing trial shall be protected from
further suffering emotional distress or trauma.
 Programs and materials involving children must comply with all pertinent laws, rules and
regulations.
Article 4 – PERSONAL ATTACKS

 It is prohibited to attack people unfairly. And to attack fellow broadcaster is prohibited.

 When personal attacks against any person, institution or group are aired, that person,
institution or group shall be given a fair opportunity to reply immediately in the same program,
if possible, or at the earliest opportunity.
Article 5 – CORRECTING MISTAKES

 When a mistake has been broadcast, it must be acknowledged and rectified as soon as possible
by stating the mistake and making the correction.

Article 6 – CRIME AND CRISIS SITUATIONS

 The coverage of crimes in progress or crisis situations, such as hostage-taking or kidnapping,
shall consider the safety and security of human lives above the right of the public to
information.
 The station and its personnel are expected to comply with restrictions imposed by the
authorities in the scene of the incident.
 Stations are encouraged to adopt standard operating procedures (SOP’s) consistent with the
Code to govern the conduct of their news personnel during the coverage of crime and crisis
situations.
Article 7 – INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS

 The right to privacy of individuals shall be respected.

Article 8 – POLITICAL PROPAGANDA

 Equal opportunity in the access of airtime shall be given to candidates and political parties.
 The Stations should uphold equality of treatment to all the political parties and must not show
favor to a particular politician.
 The Stations should abide to the relevant provision of the law and all election laws.
Article 9 – PUBLIC COMPLAINTS AND GRIEVANCES

 Complaints, criticisms, or grievances aired against persons, institutions or group, whether

public or private, shall be limited to issues which have a bearing on the public interest.
 Persons, institutions or groups who are the subject of complaints, criticisms, or grievances
aired on a station must be given immediate opportunity to reply within the same program.
Article 10 – CALLS OR MESSAGES

 Persons who are allowed by the station to make personal calls or appeals (panawagan) or air
personal messages or opinions, shall be guided on the manner and language they should use on
the air.
 Materials from letters, phone calls, e-mails, text messages and the like when aired must be in
accordance with the provisions of this Code and shall be the responsibility of the station.
Article 11 – CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS AND WELFARE

 The airing of programs that would help children to develop to their full physical, mental, and
social potential as well as attain psychological, emotional and spiritual maturity shall be
encouraged.
 The Station should make it sure that before every program the parental guidance should be
aired as a reminder to the parents and help their children not be exposed to such violence and
the other themes that are harmful to the children.
 Trailers of movies classified as “R” (Restricted) by the Movie and Television Review and
Classification Board (MTRCB) shall be aired only between nine o’clock in the evening (9:00
p.m.) and five o’clock in the morning (5:00 a.m.).
Article 12 – RELIGION

 Religious programs shall emphasize the positive role of religion in society.

 Religious programs shall give due regard to the freedom of religion and religious expression.
 Religious programs shall comply with other pertinent provisions of this Code.
Article 13 – SUPERSTITION AND THE OCCULT

 Programs featuring superstitious and pseudo-scientific beliefs and practices, care shall be taken
to prevent the exploitation of people.
 Programs or program materials that promote or encourage occult practices, black magic,
witchcraft, and similar activities are prohibited.
Article 14 – MEDICAL, LEGAL AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL ADVICE
 Only duly qualified and authorized persons shall be allowed to give medical, legal or other
professional advice.
Article 15 – MUSIC

 Broadcast stations shall strive to promote the development of Filipino music.

 Where appropriate to the program format, radio stations must play at least four (4) Original
Pilipino Music (OPM’s) per hour.
 The station shall bear primary responsibility for selecting and scheduling the music it airs
 The Stations shall abide and comply with the provision of the law.
Article 16 – FUND RAISING

 Programs and messages or announcements for fund-raising activities shall clearly identify the
(as amended 2011) names of the organizers and their beneficiaries.
Article 17 – QUIZ SHOWS, CONTESTS, PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROGRAMS AND
PROMOTIONS

 Contests and promotions shall be conducted with fairness and shall comply with all pertinent
government laws, rules and regulations and the provisions of this Code.
 Performers in programs shall always observe decency and proper decorum.
Article 18 – GAMBLING AND BETTING

 The coverage of lotteries, horseracing, cockfighting, and jai-alai may be allowed if they are
conducted by duly authorized government agencies or if licensed and authorized by the
government.
 The announcement of results and schedules of horseracing, cockfighting, lotteries and jaialai
may be allowed only for those which have been duly authorized by law.
 Advertisements of gaming or gambling activities, other than those which conform to provisions
are prohibited.
Article 19 – NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

 Support for national development in the improvement of the people’s social and economic well-
being shall be pursued continually.
Article 20 – CULTURE AND TRADITION

 Traditional Filipino family values such as family unity, mutual respect, trust, helpfulness, and
affection shall be upheld.
 Opportunities shall be provided for the continuing expression of the Filipino national identity
in the sciences, culture, and the arts.
Article 21 – RESPECT FOR LAW AND ORDER

 Broadcast facilities shall not be used or allowed to be used for advocating the overthrow of
government by force or violence.
Article 22 – DISCRIMINATION

 A person’s race, religion, color, ethnicity, gender, and physical or mental disability shall not be
used in a way that would embarrass, denigrate, or ridicule him.
Article 23 – MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED PERSONS

 Mentally and physically challenged persons shall be treated with respect and shall not be
humiliated or embarrassed due to their disability.
 
Article 24 – CRIME AND VIOLENCE

 Crime and violence and other acts of wrongdoing or injustice shall not be presented as good or
attractive or beyond retribution, correction or reform.
Article 25 – SEX, OBSCENITY AND PORNOGRAPHY

 Sex and related subjects must be treated with care and must conform to what is generally
accepted as proper.
 Explicit or graphic descriptions of sexual organs, other sensitive parts of the body, and acts
generally considered indecent or offensive are prohibited.
 Offensive, obscene blasphemous, profane, and vulgar double meaning words and phrases are
prohibited, even if understood only by a segment of the audience.
Article 26 – LIQUOR, CIGARETTES, AND DANGEROUS DRUGS

 The use of liquor, smoking, and use of dangerous drugs shall never be presented as socially
desirable or acceptable.
Article 27 – ON-AIR LANGUAGE

 Vulgar, obscene, or indecent language is prohibited.

 Language tending to incite violence, sedition or rebellion is prohibited.
Article 28 – ON-AIR DECORUM

 Persons who appear in entertainment and variety programs (such as hosts, emcees, talents,
guests, participants, and audiences), especially in live shows, shall be decently attired and
behave.
Article 29 – QUALIFICATION OF ON-AIR/PROGRAM PERSONS

 Persons who are allowed to handle programs shall have adequate knowledge and competence
for the job to insure the integrity and credibility of the broadcast media.
Article 30 – ACCREDITATION (as amended July 21, 2010)

 Persons who regularly go on the air and news writers, scriptwriters, editors and directors
whose job is to produce material which go on-air shall be required to obtain accreditation with
the KBP.
Article 31 – BRIBERY

 Asking or receiving money or any gift, present, benefit, or privilege to favor or put in bad light
any person, group, or institution in the course of a broadcast is prohibited.
Article 32 – BLOCKTIMERS

 Blocktimers and onair performers in blocktime programs shall be required to sign an

undertaking to comply with the provisions of this Code and other pertinent policies, rules and
regulations of the KBP.
Article 33 – UNIVERSAL ETHICAL STANDARDS

 Universally accepted ethical practices and code of conduct for broadcast media, pertinent
Philippine laws and their implementing rules and regulations are deemed adopted in this Code.
 Violations of this Code shall be sanctioned with censure.