Posted on 09/06/2006 10:46:23 AM PDT by Iam1ru1-2
Ask the FCC to enforce broadcast decency laws should CBS air profane language during prime-time viewing hours this Sunday evening
Earlier I wrote you about the plans by CBS to air "9/11" containing hardcore profanity during primetime viewing (Supreme Court's 'safe-harbour') hours when children are most likely to be watching television. The program is schedule to air this Sunday evening.
Because of your actions, CBS announced they would not seek sponsors for the program. But they also said, sponsors or no sponsors, that they will not mute the profanity.
A growing number of CBS affiliates have publicly stated that they would not carry the program. Other affiliates are expected to drop the show or air it late at night. Those that do carry it risk at fine of $325,000 for each indecent incident. Potential fines could run into the millions of dollars.
But CBS has responded by saying that the profanity is ok to broadcast to children because it will be shown "in context" of the program itself.
If the FCC allows this as an acceptable excuse to air the profanity, it leaves the door open for CBS to show anything and everything because anything, and everything, is always "in context."
For instance, suppose CBS decides they want to air a documentary concerning pornography. Using CBS's logic, the network could show actual hardcore pornographic scenes in an "after school special" saying the scenes are "in context" and necessary because they are an integral part of the documentary.
The phrase "in context" means that CBS could (and would) show anything because it is "in context." In the final analysis "in context" means nothing is exempt.
I urge you to email the FCC urging them to reject the "in context" argument. A copy will also go to CBS. And please forward this to your friends and family.
Take Action
Send the email to the FCC asking them to reject the "in context" argument.
Contact your local CBS affiliate" and ask them not to air "9/11." Tell them you are prepared to file a formal complaint with the FCC if they do.
Please inform your friends and family.
Click Here to Email the FCC Now!
What the heck are you on anyway?
_______________
I think it is mighty funny you asking another poster this question, as I've been wondering the same about you.
If the real time, honest reactions of a witness to the horror of that event is too much for you, watch Emeril Live instead!
Listen, you prig, this program is an EXCELLENT program; it's not my fault people like you run around looking for things to be offended about and trying to make the rest of us feel bad if we don't agree with you and your myopic views of the world.
The only "activism" you're doing is showing how actively ignorant you are of the CONTENT of this program.
Thanks!
Exactly. These two guys just happened to be trying to document a day in the life of a New York City firefighter; it was only luck that they caught the film they finally showed us.
If I remember correctly, when this film was first shown, that was the subject of much discussion; because, of course, our sissified media edited all that stuff out.
It is called revising history.
People weren't saying fiddlesticks as the towers collapsed.
If the Klintonistas get their way, and eventually make CBS "censor", yes I said "censor" some of the content that shows their incompetency, and outright fright of their enemies, then the whole program is a sham, a lie, a coverup, but that won't stop the liberals from saying this is an "honest portrayal" of why 9-11 took place even when all of the "original" program will probably NOT be shown.
They are showing it without commercials because it's not the kind of show you put commercials in.
Geez, grow up.
My daughter was in 5th grade at the time. I left work immediately after hearing about the Pentagon to pick her up. We watched together for the rest of the day. It was one of the first times she ever saw me cry openly.
The most distinctive things I remember about the documentary:
1) The shot of the firefighters working in the street, and the camera tilting up to catch the first plane crashing into the building.
2) The sound of glass crashing, over and over, as bodies smashed through the glass at the plaza level. Once you hear that sound, you will never forget it.
I realize they are not consciously on the side of terrorism, but that is the effect of their complaints because excellent documentaries of terrorist scum like this may never be seen again by Americans.
I don't know if CBS will have the guts to air this ever again if all they get is flack for doing something they think should not be political.
Excellent response to the complaints from KWCH GM in Wichita, Joan Barrett:
"To alter the reality of this day – would seem in and of itself immoral. We can’t simply make the horrific nature of these events disappear with an occasional bleep. It would diminish the tragedy and emotion that everyone in this country experienced on September 11, 2001. Yes, there is some profanity from those who were at Ground Zero experiencing the horror firsthand; but given this was a profane act that should not be surprising or obscene. We can’t simply disguise the truth because it makes one uncomfortable.
Now, let me address some misinformation that is being distributed. First of all, the FCC cannot fine the networks. It is simply not within their scope. The FCC is a governmental regulatory body that has oversight of the public airwaves – not television networks. Yes, CBS has informed us that they would rebroadcast the program. This is standard operating procedure. We have received no warning from CBS about potential large fines from the FCC for airing the program.
The term "profanity-laden" is being used to describe this program; emotionally-charged words are often used by some to mislead or instigate desired actions. I can only tell you, that after the two previous broadcasts of this program, we received not one verbal or written complaint about the profanity in those broadcasts.
Several people have expressed concerns about this program because children may see it. As a mother of two, I too have concerns about what my children are exposed to, not only on television, but in life. It’s difficult to build walls around your children to protect them from everything we don’t want them to see or experience. The only way to completely eliminate concerns about television in your home is to remove it – and not allow your children to visit anyone’s house that has one. In addition, you would likely have to remove any computer with internet access. For my family, this isn’t realistic, practical or desired.
Here is why this is such a challenge for you and I as parents. The FCC oversees stations that broadcast over the air – ones that can be picked up without cable or satellite. If you subscribe to cable or satellite, the majority of the stations you watch – or those that your children watch – are not broadcast stations or regulated by the FCC. For example, a cable network (such as ESPN, A & E, etc) does not face the same government oversight.
So, even if ALL material that you might deem offensive was removed from broadcast stations – there would be many channels available that have no such oversight by the FCC. Approximately 70% of our viewers receive our signal from cable, another 20% receive KWCH over satellite. That means 90% of KWCH viewers have access to a variety of channels that are not regulated by the FCC.
Finally, we have also closely read the FCC’s decision regarding the airing of "Saving Private Ryan" on ABC adopted on February 3, 2005. After review, the FCC found the material did not violate the applicable indecency and profanity prohibitions. We are closely monitoring what the FCC and our elected representatives are saying. That’s why we believe this program does not violate our community standards."
If you are concerned about that then why are you yelling "censorship" too. That's pretty hypocritical.
>>They are showing it without commercials because it's not the kind of show you put commercials in.<<
Exactly. Can you imagine cutting to a commercial of "Bounty, the Quicker Picker-Upper".
Get real, people.
You don't have to have to have profanity to tell "the truth". Movies edit profanity all the time for TV showing, and I haven't heard a peep lately of these "censorships".
Oh, that's right. It's only politically correct to criticize "Christians" and their organizations....I forgot! (/sarcasm>
That documentary is reality - deal with it.
OH NO! Not REALITY! Americans can’t handle reality! < /sarcasm>
What's your point? The net is on the hook not the advertisers.
I am a socially conservative person. I agree profanity has gotten out of hand on tv.
But, not this time.
To air this edited would be simply a horrible thing to do and an alteration of the day's horrors.
I bet it's a few misguided people doing all the complaining.
PS. I liked your idea, so I took the opportunity to write to MY CBS affiliate and tell them I support showing this program.
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