The University of the Philippines Diliman Department of Broadcast Communication has issued a statement calling for the resignation of Lala Sotto, the Chairperson of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB). The call for her resignation is based on allegations that she compromised her position and objectivity as a public official in the suspension of a popular noontime show. This move by the academic department has stirred discussions about the role of regulatory bodies and the need for transparency and impartiality in their decision-making processes.
The MTRCB is a government agency responsible for reviewing and classifying movies and television programs shown in the Philippines. Its primary mission is to ensure that these media forms adhere to established content and age-appropriateness guidelines. The board is expected to act as an impartial and independent body, free from external influence or personal biases.
The controversy surrounding Chair Lala Sotto’s position began with the suspension of a popular noontime show. Allegedly, the suspension was based on concerns related to the show’s content, particularly its comedy sketches and segments. While the MTRCB has a legitimate role in assessing content for compliance with guidelines, the issue has raised questions about the transparency and objectivity of the decision-making process.
MTRCB Chair Lala Sotto is the daughter of former Senator Tito Sotto and is one of the pillars of the noontime show “Eat,” which is in direct competition with “It’s Showtime.” Because of this, there have been speculations that there may be efforts to divert “It’s Showtime” viewers to “Eat” in order to boost its ratings.
In a recent news report, it was mentioned that Lala Sotto has inhibited herself from voting to avoid any personal interests and to ensure fairness in the decision regarding the suspension of “It’s Showtime.” The decision is not yet final, and they have been given an opportunity to explain their side of the story.
The UP Diliman Department of Broadcast Communication argues that Chair Lala Sotto has compromised her position by allegedly bowing to pressure from external parties, including political and personal interests, in making the decision to suspend the noontime show. They contend that such compromises undermine the MTRCB’s credibility and its ability to function as an unbiased regulatory body.
In the case of Chair Lala Sotto, the allegations of compromise and bias have sparked concern among various stakeholders, including media practitioners, academics, and the general public. The UP Diliman Department of Broadcast Communication’s call for her resignation underscores the importance of upholding these principles and maintaining public trust in regulatory bodies.
MTRCB Chairperson Lala Sotto has not yet made a statement regarding this matter.
The UP Diliman Department of Broadcast Communication calls for the resignation of MTRCB chair Lala Sotto for having “compromised her position and objectivity as a public official” over the suspension of noontime show @itsShowtimeNa. pic.twitter.com/41sJs2Rw0b
— albert (@albertlirio) September 5, 2023