Anti-typecasting Bill: Will it be effective?

Pampanga 3rd district Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr. filed House Resolution # 2140 or the anti-Typecasting Bill, which aims “to minimize, prevent, or stop typecasting congressmen and congresswomen as villains or crooks in movies and television telenovelas, in order not to create stereotypes or negative public perception against members of the House of Representatives.”

The said resolution is totally against Article III Sec. 4 of 1987 Philippine Constitution which is all about the freedom of speech, expression or the press. Most of the movies or television programs showed on television is based on reality. It’s all about characterization of the characters portraying real- life situations. What the characters act on movies or television programs are what we actually witness in our society. Every movie or television program has its own purposes and lessons which bring different views and comments from different audience. In reality, there are protagonists and antagonists in our society.

The political personalities should not take this personally. If they do, they probably feel guilty about it. If they want to gain protagonistic view from the audience, they should work for it.

As a televiewer, I do not agree with this resolution. Television programs and movies are a big help to us. It teaches us moral lessons and provide entertainment. If political personalities want to leave a positive image on our minds, why don’t they prove themselves first?

Your sincerely, Mary Jane V. Catriz Ab-mass Communication University of the Visayas- Main Campus 272-3711/09331778831 mcatriz@gmail.com