For hearing impaired individuals: Legarda wants mandatory close captioning of tv programs and movies

SENATOR LOREN LEGARDA THROUGH THE FILING OF SENATE BILL NO. 1441 IS PUSHING TO MAKE COMPULSORY FOR ALL FRANCHISE HOLDERS OR OPERATORS OF TELEVISION STATIONS, PRODUCERS OF TELEVISION PROGRAMS, HOME VIDEO PROGRAMS AND MOTION PICTURES, TO HAVE THEIR PROGRAMS AND FILMS BROADCAST CLOSED CAPTIONED TO RESPOND TO THE NEEDS OF HEARING IMPAIRED INDIVIDUALS.
“With the advances of information technology and the relevance of television programs, motion pictures, and other audio-visual presentation as tools or learning, there is a need to enable persons with hearing impairments to take advantage of such technology and enjoy audio-visual entertainments with their seemingly unbounded innovations.”
Legarda explained, “Closed-captioning is a method of subtitling of television, home video programs and films for hearing-impaired or foreign language viewers without interfering with the normal television picture and films through a vertical interval data signal.”
“It is decoded at the receiver and superimposed on the television picture or on films of motion pictures.”/p>
Legarda identified the implementing agencies to be The National Telecommunications Commission, in consultation with the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board and Videogram Regulatory Board.
“It is almost a crime to be insensitive to the sentiments and concerns of the hearing-impaired. The spirit of this bill is to allow them to have a richer life because they will be able to enjoy and have a greater appreciation of the stories and messages of these visual mediums, “Legarda concluded.