NTC directs KBP to ban Shanti Dope's 'Amatz' from TV, radio

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has ordered the Kapisanan Ng Mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) to ban Filipino rapper Shanti Dope's song "Amatz" from TV and radio stations nationwide for supposedly hinting about the use of illegal drugs in its lyrics.

"Together with the PDEA, the Commission strongly supports President Rodrigo Roa Duterte's fight against illegal drugs and as part of our commitment to this Administration's crusade, the KBP is hereby directed to enforce compliance with Article 15, Section 4 of the Broadcast Code regarding the song "Amatz" by Shanti Dope in all its member and TV stations," the NTC said in its letter to KBP dated June 7, 2019.

The Philippine Drug and Enforcement Agency's was furnished a copy of the letter, which the agency distributed to the media.

In its letter, the NTC said it recognizes Shanti Dope’s freedom of expression, like any other right, but "such is not absolute if it contravenes public interest, public order, public safety and the general welfare of the children and youth."

GMA News Online is still trying to reach the rapper's camp for comment.

The PDEA previously claimed that Shanti Dope's song "is mostly about ‘Lakas ng amats ko, sobrang natural, walang halong kemikal’." It also cited the lyrics that mention, “Ito hinangad ko; lipadin ay mataas pa sa kayang ipadama sayo ng gramo, di bale ng musika ikamatay."

It promotes the use of marijuana, according to PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino.

The agency thus wrote a letter on May 20, 2019 to the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), the Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit, and the ABS-CBN Corporation to "prevent the airing of ‘Amatz’ and its promotion in the different media stations throughout the country."

Following the complaint, the KBP issued a circular letter disallowing the airing of Amatz, reminding its members of Article 15 , Section 4 of Broadcast Code of the Philippines 2007 which stated that:

"Songs with lyrics or messages that are vulgar, indecent, promote substance abuse, gender discrimination, racism, Satanism, violence or sexual perversion or demeans a member of any sector of society shall not be played."

PDEA lauded NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba and the KBP Chairman Herman Basbaño for the move.

"PDEA cannot turn a blind eye to songs whose lyrics advocate drug use because it is part of the agency’s mandate to implement drug control strategies and harm reduction," Aquino said in a statement.

The KBP has 121 members composed of owners and operators of radio and television stations, including the radio and television stations, all over the Philippines. — MDM, GMA News