MTRCB admonishes Arnold Clavio and Unang Hirit

MANILA, Philippines – Morning show Unang Hirit and anchor Arnold Clavio has received a “grave and serious admonition” from the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) over an interview aired on November 7.

GMA7 host Clavio was clearly frustrated when alleged pork barrel scam queen Janet Lim-Napoles’ lawyer, Alfredo Villamor, could not answer his questions relating to the pork barrel issue. Villamor had told Clavio he represented Napoles only for her serious illegal detention case, and was not in the position to answer any questions related to the pork barrel scam. 

Clavio interrupted Villamor several times during the interview.  The anchor went so far as to say the lawyer ruined his day.

Clavio earned the ire of netizens immediately after the broadcast. He apologized on air two days after the incident.

The MTRCB decision demanded that Clavio as well as Unang Hirit‘s executive producer, director, writer and public affairs hosts undergo a mandatory seminar to be conducted by MTRCB chair Eugenio “Toto” Villareal on December 10 and 11at the MTRCB office.

Villareal is a professor of law and media ethics. He will discuss “media and the legal profession in the context of both audience sensitivity and the administration of justice”.

GMA submitted a letter “containing its proposed remedial and restitutive measures, as well as the draft public statement for Unang Hirit. The network added that it had already taken steps to “prevent similar missteps, primarily by reiterating the best practices of GMA News and Public Affairs”. – Rappler.com