FCC having ‘chilling effect’ on First Amendment
Cory Bergman September 4th, 2006
CBS executive VP Martin Franks says the hesitancy of CBS stations to air the 9/11 documentary next week is “example number one” that the FCC’s indecency laws are chilling free speech rights. So far, about a dozen CBS affiliates have indicated they won’t show the documentary, another dozen say they will delay it until later at night and two dozen others are considering what to do.
17 Comments Add your own
1. Z | September 4th, 2006 at 12:39 pm
Heck, lets charge the White House for airing Presidential speeches during prime time.
2. Anonymous | September 4th, 2006 at 1:45 pm
This is so stupid. The swear words are not essential to telling the story. Just edit them out and get on with life.
3. Z | September 4th, 2006 at 2:20 pm
Sometimes they are, sometimes they aren’t. Not the FCC’s job to decide which by blanketly banning them all.
4. KC | September 4th, 2006 at 2:50 pm
Anonymous…you have it right. Look at shows like LOST and other well written shows. You don’t need the language to tell the story is 95% percent of the cases.
Z…it is their job. These are ….public…airwaves! Over the air. Kids can tune them in even with parents who guard the TV night and day. One, anyone, should be able to turn on an over the air station and have it be free of profane language.
5. Eric | September 4th, 2006 at 3:52 pm
The issue here, KC and Anonymous, is that this is a documentary. Not some hollywood script.
These were real people, exhibiting real emotions, during a terrorist attack. And we’re going to bleep them to cave to a small percentage of the population who might find it offensive.
I think the image of a jet full of people slamming into an office tower would have a more traumatic affect than a swear word. Should we black out those images as well?
The issue is not one bleep or one swear. It is the slippery slope that is censorship and the FCC’s inability to look at each broadcast superlatively or with any perspective. To them, every bad word is evil, regardless of context.
6. Steve Safran | September 4th, 2006 at 4:01 pm
I can’t believe what I’m reading.
You all grew up hearing swears. Did it scar you?
This is not, not, not about whether someone should be allowed to swear on-air. This is about a board of nannies who won’t tell us what we can say or do on-air until after the fact. Then they can fine us out of business.
There is a difference between gratuitousness and news. What happened on 9/11 is news. That we can show dead people, exploding planes, collapsing buildings and all is fine, but we have to leave out a curse word is simply beyond my understanding. Perhaps someone can explain to me, a parent of three children, how my kids’ lives are bettered by hearing a bleeping sound.
My kids have many, many questions about 9/11. Why someone said “Oh, shit!” is not among them. And I suspect that, when hearing someone say it as buildings collapsed crushing thousands of people to death, they’d likely agree.
7. Eric | September 4th, 2006 at 4:01 pm
*seperately.
(pardon the typo)
8. Jim | September 4th, 2006 at 7:03 pm
[...]One, anyone, should be able to turn on an over the air station and have it be free of profane language.[...]
As far as regular programming, that’s not unreasonable.
However, we’re talking about a documentary of major historic significance. Not only that, but it has previously aired on the network WITHOUT any repercussions.
Now in 2006, some feel a few honest emotions could be more offensive than the reality of what occurred?!!
We’re headed down the wrong path America!
This country continues to be weakened every time things are changed to satisfy a minority of individuals. We live in a democracy (or used to anyway) where majority ruled — not the other way around!!
Can you imagine the outcry that would have occurred had the network premiere of ‘Schindler’s List’ been censored in any manner?! It was so revered, it aired uncensored, uncut and commercial-free!
(Or was it just that the Baptists in Tupelo were afraid to stand-up to the Jews??) If anyone has an issue with networks airing works of historic significance in their entirety, they have the right to change the channel or turn off the TV!!
To those in support of the PTC crusade:
Just because you feel something isn’t right for your kids doesn’t mean other parents feel the same way. It’s up to all parents to do their job and raise educated children. Find “teachable moments” during the 9/11 documentary and explain to your kids why people reacted certain ways. If you can’t do that, then I suggest you invest in a DVR so you can “sanitize” the program according to your own standards. Please do not file complaints with the government because you were offended. You know what’s in the broadcast UPFRONT — so please don’t inflict your will on the majority of Americans who respect the authenticity of the documentary!
I really long for the days when Reed Hundt was in charge of the FCC!!!
9. Emery Jeffreys | September 4th, 2006 at 7:23 pm
Can anyone out there say “Civil Disobedience?”
Emerson asked thoreau what he was doing in jail, Thoreau asked what he was doing out.
I think it’s time for another tea party in boston harbor. Amen to Steve Safran.
10. DeAnn | September 4th, 2006 at 7:27 pm
First the uproar about Helen Mirren of all people, and now this? What is the world coming to? It’s a brave new world, that’s for sure!
11. G Man | September 5th, 2006 at 6:21 am
I think the PTC and American Family Association are blogging on this blog - but that’s me.
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