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Commercial Television
and Developmental Programming
While broadcast codes state that stations
should include public affairs and other
developmental formats, current programming
focuses primarily on "hard" stories, highlighting
power plays, competition, and violence.
Over the past few years, the broadcast industry
has displayed sensitivity to growing public
criticism for its lopsided programming,
and there has been a discernible increase
in public affairs programming (other than
news programs), which has recently gained
public following. Some of these programs
won international recognition such as The
Probe Team and the now off the air Firing
Line.
These programs in various formats - straight
talk shows, news magazines, documentaries
- are, however, packaged for limited viewership,
because they use the English language. In
general, Filipino, the national language,
is used in entertainment programs, giving
rise to false perceptions that Filipino
cannot be a language for intellectual discourse.
Public service programs are still quite
popular. Some video and television programmes
show the needy being given medical and other
forms of social assistance. Opportunities
for the public to seek redress for grievances
through television is now available, although
still on a limited basis.
These programs are now among the popular
programs aired during late afternoon and
evening primetime, Hoy Gising and Isumbong
Mo kay Tulfo. World class educational children's
programs are made possible through Philippine
Children's Television Foundation (PCTVF)
and ABS-CBN Foundation. PCTVF produces the
award-winning Batibot while ABS-CBN produces
Sine'skwela, a school on the air on science
for elementary students which has been aired
since 1994, Hirayamanawari, a values-oriented
program, Bayani (about heroism and heritage),
and Math Tinik, mathematics for primary
and intermediate pupils.
The People's Television Network , Inc. is
a major co-sponsor of Continuing Education
Program for Science Teachers Via Television
(Constel), which broadcast three telecourses
for teachers - elementary science, chemistry,
and physics. The government TV network also
airs a distance education course for teachers
pursuing graduate education.
Specialized programmes for specific interest
groups, such as women, cultural or ethnic
groups, or consumers, however, have not
gone beyond tokenism. Although there are
120 ethnic groups in the country, little
is known about their culture. Media have
been remiss in providing adequate coverage
of issues affecting cultural communities.
The limited coverage emphasizes primarily
conflict situations, while the more visible
groups are projected in stereotyped images.
Ecology and related stories get sufficient
coverage only because the worldwide environmental
movement is felt here and because of the
sustained advocacy of local environmental
groups. Other less controversial issues,
like children's rights, human rights, consumerism,
and health and nutrition, get fleeting attention
from the media.
Television networks have exerted considerable
effort to diversify and provide balanced
and creative programming. These efforts
are attributed to factors such as an increasing
sense of social responsibility among network
owners; KBP's effort to improve professionalism
and standards in broadcasting; sensitivity
to public advocacy for improved programming;
and competition not only among television
networks or stations but also with emerging
cable television stations.
Excerpts from PHILIPPINE
TELEVISION by Ramon R. Tuazon
http://www.NCCA.gov.ph
Radio
today
Radio
is now acknowledged as the primary source
of news and the most pervasive, persuasive,
and credible medium. It reaches 85 to 90
percent of the population with over 25 million
sets nationwide. Of the 12 million estimated
total number of households nationwide, the
number of radio households is 10.2 million.
In contrast, estimated households with televisions
set is 8.52 million while estimated households
with video cassette recorder is only 3.6
million. Station DZRH has the widest reach.
With its satellite capability courtesy of
Palapa B-4 which could send signals to the
20 relays scattered all over the Philippine
archipelago, the station can cover as much
as 97 percent of the entire country. Meanwhile,
industry estimates suggest that the average
radio listening time is two to three hours
a day.
According to the National Telecommunication
Commission (NTC), there are a total of 629
radio stations nationwide as of 1997, of
which, 330 are AM stations and 399 are FM
radio stations. Luzon has the most number
of total AM and FM radio stations, 257 (123
AM and 134 FM). Mindanao has 235 radio stations
- 100 AM and 135 FM. Visayas has 182 consisting
of 77 AM and 105 FM stations, while Metro
Manila has 55 - 30 AM and 25 FM. Of the
629 stations, only 530 are within the fold
of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas
(KBP).
In terms of type of service, of the 539
KBP-member stations as of 1998, 488 operate
as commercial stations and only 51 as non-commercial
stations. Of the latter, 32 are government-owned
(31 AM and one FM), 10 are religious (eight
AM and two FM stations), seven educational
(four AM and three FM), and two military
(all AM stations).
Most radio stations are part of a broadcast
network. The largest network is Radio Mindanao
Network, Inc. with 37 radio stations nationwide.
Manila Broadcasting Company owns 31 AM and
FM stations nationwide, excluding the 100
low power FM stations. Nation Broadcasting
Corporation with 29 radio stations nationwide.
An interesting development is the growth
of community radio stations. In 12 remote
communities nationwide, low-powered FM radio
stations have been set up since 1991 through
the Tambuli Project funded by UNESCO and
Danish International Development Agency
(DANIDA). These radio stations are owned
and operated by the local community members
who also produce their own programs, using
the very popular Karaoke system ( a sing-along
cassette console with loudspeaker). These
stations feature developmental messages,
especially on health care, environment,
and livelihood as well as entertainment.
Commercial radio networks are now duplicating
the success of the Tambuli project. Manila
Broadcasting Corporation (which operates
DZRH) has set up 100 low powered radio stations
in remote communities nationwide. Each station
has a 500-watt transmitter capable of sending
a clear signal within a 10 kilometer radius.
However, most of the programs aired are
still packaged or produced in Manila which
reinforces Manila-centric programming rather
than promoting local programming.
Advancements in telecommunications technology
during the past decade have expanded the
reach of radio. Some major radio networks
such as ABS-CBN Broadcasting (through DZMM)
and Manila Broadcasting Company (through
its lead station DZRH) are now linked to
the satellite for nationwide and even global
coverage.
Some issues and concerns
The Philippine mass media in general is
known as the freest and liveliest in the
whole of Asia. But it is also criticized
for being often irreverent and irresponsible.
There have been pressures from various sectors
urging media organizations such as the KBP
to impose higher ethical standards and social
responsibility among their members.
Many sectors perceive "envelopmental" journalism
as being prevalent. This refers to the practice
of bribing media practitioners (including
broadcasters) to get positive media mileage
or to down play, if not totally "kill" negative
stories. A recent publication, News for
Sale by the Philippine Center for Investigative
Journalism (PCIJ), documents the "prices"
political candidates have to pay for desired
media exposures.
In terms of content, media in general are
being criticized for being rambunctious,
floundering in sensationalism, acrimony
and mudslinging. In particular, they deplore
the seeming proliferation of so-called tabloid
broadcast journalism where radio programs
apply the "success formula" of tabloids
- crimes, sex and gossip broadcasting.
Media's penchant for exposes and defending
the underprivileged had cost the lives of
many (broadcast) journalists especially
those from the provinces. Because of their
watchdog function and adversarial stance,
many journalists continue to tread on dangerous
grounds.
Meanwhile, technological developments are
proving to be the most serious challenge
to the radio industry. Phono players, reels
and cassettes would only do for "jurassic"
stations. On-air multiband sound processing
or multitract recording will be the technology
of choice. Digital and Internet will dominate
new broadcast technologies.
Radio stations have to retool, i.e., go
digital, in order to compete, provide better
quality programming, and eliminate of multi-path
interference. Digital Audio Broadcasting
(DAB) will offer listeners additional services
such as artists information, stock quotes,
and sports scores. Satellite systems are
transforming the media audience into global
audiences whose choices of channels and
programs are virtually unlimited. In this
new media landscape, how can local radio
stations offer better programming?
In this age of the global village, the threat
of cultural homogenization or domination,
especially by those who own and control
technology, becomes even more real. The
interactive and two-way capabilities of
modern technologies should be harnessed
to the fullest to ensure cultural harmony,
integrity, and identity. But this concern
applies not only in the global setting but
in the national setting as well. For decades,
broadcasting in the Philippines has been
one-way - Manila produces and the rest of
the country watches or listens. New technologies
now allow for more exchange of images and
messages within and across countries.
Excerpts from
RADIO AS A WAY OF LIFE by Ramon R. Tuazon
http://www.ncca.gov.ph
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