Censoring Private Ryan.

[rpm]

This is what happens when you let the FCC run amuck.
source

ABC Affiliates Balk at 'Ryan' Airing
Wed Nov 10, 2004 11:49 PM ET
LOS ANGELES/WASHINGTON (Hollywood Reporter) - Fearful of the FCC crackdown on indecent broadcasts, at least 18 ABC affiliates plan to pre-empt the network's unedited broadcast of the film "Saving Private Ryan" at 8 Thursday night.

The pre-emptions come despite the network's decision to warn viewers during each commercial break about the graphic violence and language in Steven Spielberg's Oscar-nominated World War II epic. ABC has aired "Ryan" twice before without any pre-emption, to commemorate Veterans Day in 2001 and '02, though some stations cited past complaints from viewers that they also factored into their decisions.

Station groups that plan to cancel "Ryan" at all of their ABC-affiliated stations include E.W. Scripps, Citadel Communications and Belo Corp. Other pre-empting stations are owned by Cox Communications, Hearst-Argyle, Pappas Telecasting and Tribune Broadcasting.

Janice Wise, spokeswoman for the FCC's enforcement bureau, said they had received calls from broadcasters asking if the film would run afoul of the rules. Wise said the commission was barred from making a prebroadcast decision "because that would be censorship."

"If we get a complaint, we'll act on it," she said.

The pre-emptions reflect the heightened anxiety among the nation's broadcasters -- likely to continue into the second term of the Bush administration -- over scrutiny, not to mention expensive fines, they could receive from Capitol Hill.

Raymond Cole, president of Citadel Communications, which owns three ABC stations, issued a statement citing the stepped-up enforcement actions taken by the FCC as the reason his stations won't air the film.

"The inconsistent manner in which the FCC is choosing to apply these rules puts TV stations like ours in a most difficult position," Cole said. "As this relates to 'Saving Private Ryan,' our concern centers on whether the FCC would consider the context in which the intense adult language and graphic battleground violence is presented in the movie."

Affiliates will be forbidden to bleep or edit "Ryan," which contains many combat scenes punctuated by profanity and violence, because ABC's contract with Spielberg rules out any alteration of the film.

Instead of airing "Ryan" on Veteran's Day last year, ABC chose to go with Diane Sawyer's interview with Pvt. Jessica Lynch. This year's edition was to run with an introductory message from Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

As of press time, the stations declining to air the film include five owned by Scripps, in Detroit (WXYZ), Phoenix (KNXV), Cleveland (WEWS), Cincinnati (WCPO), and Tampa-St. Petersburg, Fla. (WFTS); four owned by Belo, in Dallas/Fort Worth (WFAA), Hampton/Norfolk, Va. (WVEC), Louisville, Ky. (WHAS), and Austin, Texas (KVUE); three by Citadel, in Des Moines, Iowa (WOI), Sioux City, Iowa (KCAU), and Lincoln, Neb. (KLKN); two owned by Cox, in Atlanta (WSOC) and Orlando (WFTV); two owned by Hearst-Argyle, in Manchester, N.H. (WMUR), and Milwaukee (WISN); one owned by Tribune Co., in New Orleans (WGNO); and one by Pappas, in Lincoln, Neb. (KHGI).

This is stupid. Maybe Howard Stern is on to something after all.

[Habu]

This is real not a joke.

I cannot believe it. What a bunch of friggin morons.

[mora]

I knew that you have a pretty harsh cencorship, but this is just unbelievable.

Originally posted by rpm
The pre-emptions come despite the network's decision to warn viewers during each commercial break about the graphic violence and language in Steven Spielberg's Oscar-nominated World War II epic.

[SOB]

Bad language makes the baby Jesus cry.

[mora]

Originally posted by GScholz
What is it with you guys and bad language on TV anyways? The US is the only western country that I know of that censor language.

It's here too... They recently started censoring language of in-car WRC footage.

[Mickey1992]

I think the FCC's "We won't tell you want you can or can't do, but we will fine you when you are wrong" stance is pathetic.

[rpm]

Originally posted by Mickey1992
I think the FCC's "We won't tell you what you can or can't do, but we will fine you when you are wrong" stance is pathetic.

We have a WINNER!

[AWMac]

That's just plain Foookin Stoooopid.

[Gunslinger]

Take note that I don't approve of most sensorship.  I think shows should have ratings and that's about it.  If I feel my kid doenst need to see something he doesnt get to watch it.

[indy007]

Originally posted by mora
It's here too... They recently started censoring language of in-car WRC footage.

I'm jealous. We don't even get WRC coverage here

[lazs2]

so whats the big deal?  go buy the friggin dvd or rent it for a buck or two down the street... or tune to a cable station that is showing it.

you watch public TV that goes out free to every possible type of person including children and religious zealots and then you giove the government the power to regulate it in order to protect everyones sensibilities that might tune in accidentaly and then...

you whine because people get offended and ask for some (most) types of content to be not shown?

you can show pretty much anything you want you just can't shove it ion peoples face on public and free and regulated airwaves..  

I can't believe that any of the people complaining here watch network TV in any case.    either dump all the regulations or get used to the public and network tv bowing to the weakest link.

lazs

[mora]

If public service must bow to the weakest link, then it should apply in other areas of life aswell. Maybe traffic and gun laws would be a good place to start?

[Habu]

Laz actually supports the movie not being shown? Like that is a good thing?

Man now I have heard everything.

[lazs2]

mora.. that is my point... you let the government run your life and this is what you get.

I didn't ask for the regulations.  You allways lose when you allow governmetn to regulate a part of your life.   the question is how big a loser you wanna be?

I simply don't watch the government tv... you can do what you want or simply sit there and be outraged.

lazs

[Flit]

FCC said not during prime time (ie before 10pm) , not "you can't show this movie"