Missing credits spur screenwriters guild action, FAP offers legal aid

Missing screen credits spark uproar as writers guild, FAP push for accountability.

The Filipino Screenwriters Guild (FSG) has raised concerns over the lack of proper on-screen credit for writers, calling it a matter of professional respect and authorship rather than mere courtesy.

In a statement released on June 27, the guild revealed that two of its members were not properly credited for their work on a recently aired program. While the case involves specific individuals, the FSG emphasized that the issue reflects a broader industry concern.

“This is bigger than just two writers,” the group said. “It is about recognizing the people who create the stories that audiences watch.”

The guild underscored that every production begins with a script, noting that writers lay the foundation long before actors, directors, or production teams bring a project to life. Proper credit, it added, is essential in acknowledging creative contribution and informing audiences about the minds behind the stories they consume.

“Giving writers proper credit is not just a formality. It is a way of recognizing creative work, professional contribution, and authorship,” the statement read.

The FSG reiterated its commitment to advocating for fair industry practices and proper recognition for screenwriters, expressing hope that the incident would serve as a reminder that writers deserve visibility and acknowledgment.

Backing the call, the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) stressed that credit is a fundamental right tied to authorship. “To withhold it denies the writer both recognition and compensation,” the Academy said.

FAP also pointed out that this right is protected under Philippine law, particularly through authors’ moral rights, which include the right to attribution. These rights, the Academy noted, should be clearly reflected in contracts and upheld in the final output.

The Academy said the FSG has already reached out to formally address the specific concern. It also encouraged guilds and industry workers who experience cases of uncredited or uncompensated work to file grievances through official channels.

Concerned parties may submit complaints through the Film Academy’s grievance portal at grievances.filmacademy.gov.ph or via email at reklamo@filmacademy.gov.ph and grievances@filmacademy.gov.ph. The Academy assured that its legal team is ready to respond, assist, and mediate disputes within the film and audiovisual sector.

Both organizations expressed solidarity with Filipino screenwriters, emphasizing their vital role in shaping stories that entertain, inspire, and resonate with audiences.

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