Mindanaotoday.com | The limitation of the absoluteness of the freedom of speech and expression
By: RAI Bollozos Sanchez | Historyahe!
HI there!
Ever since I have been a fan of listening to FM stations, and though technology has drastically evolved because of social media, I still listen to music using the radio.
Like any other teen in the 90s, radio music was a part of my system. My favorite radio station was 89.3 The Killerbee and 88.5 DXRJ (the latter was simulcasted from RJ FM Manila), and I grew up idolizing the late Johnny Small, Michael Grey, and Littleman Ryan.
By the late 90s and early 2000s, I listened to NU107 and Sandy 101.5 and made friends with some popular disc jocks from that era—Cloyd Phoenix and RFunk.
I listened already past the golden age of Kagay-anon FM. Most jocks achieved celebrity status on the airwaves; they remained professional and did not sound cheap—they were sometimes mischievous yet witty and intelligent.
I idolized them, and becoming a disc jock is one of my professional frustration.
Daily morning FM listening is a part of my daily routine. I still listen to Magic 89.3 (the former Killerbee) and 88.5 RJ FM for some “classic rock” music.
Yet, for some reason, while having my morning coffee, I changed the dial of my radio to a different channel.
Just like any other contemporary disc jock who speaks in Bisaya, what he said on-air was shocking!
He said, “nganong lami mag d*gstyl* mga kabarangay? Hilabi na kanang pag ibot kay mo ‘plok.”
Lastly, he said, “lami kaayo mahimong mananap.”
The 1987 Philippine Constitution upholds the freedom of speech and expression; such liberties include voicing opinions and receiving information without the state’s interference.
However, such freedom is not absolute and is limited to defamation, fraud, obscenity, cuss words, threats, and incitement, including sexual provocations.
Indeed, what the disc jock uttered was inciting “sexual provocations” to which the state should interfere.
While there are regulating bodies such as the Kapisanan ng mga Broadcaster ng Pilipinas that control FM stations, these are in their private capacity, and membership is not strictly confined to all.
Further, unfortunately, the Philippines has the most unrestrained “freedom of speech,” further mainstream FM stations.
There is a law regulating radio stations and communications in the archipelago, and there are no laws regulating indecency and radio stations.
The irony is that there is a law prohibiting cyber indecency.
Technology has progressively increased in the last couple of years, but radio is still the most accessible.
The intermarriage of technology and media is inseparable—they are like married couples; if one dies, the other too, or if one progresses, the other follows. Though, in this case, radio practitioners should educate their radio personalities.
More so, I agree with my friend, colleague, and communications professor, Henry Abellanosa from Liceo de Cagayan University that “radio stations should not allow non-media-educated and unethical practitioners to work in the industry.”
Humor is okay because it entices the audience to listen, but ‘sexual provocations’ in radio have no room for the public ears. Media should educate for the good and not for the worst as its clouts affect those who are “un or miseducated.” Some ethical standards need to be followed.
Lastly, the City Council of Cagayan de Oro should act accordingly to regulate some radio stations’ indecency. (MT)
(Ryan Albert Ignacius “RAI” Bollozos Sanchez, 40, is a native of Cagayan de Oro City. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History and currently finishing his Master of Arts in History at Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan. He is currently a full-time faculty in the Department of General Education and Interdisciplinary Studies in Xavier Ateneo – teaching Readings in Philippine History, The Life, Works and Writings of Jose Rizal, and Interdisciplinary Studies subjects. He taught part-time at the Liceo de Cagayan University teaching Southeast Asian History and Government, and U.S. Government and Foreign Policy. You may reach him at rsanchez@xu.edu.ph)
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