Broadcasters say hesitancy by some CBS network affiliates to air a Sept. 11 documentary next week proves there has been a chilling effect on free speech rights since federal regulators cracked down after Janet Jackson’s breast was exposed on TV in 2004.Actor Robert De Niro hosts the award-winning documentary that began as a quest to follow a rookie firefighter on an ordinary day, but resulted in the only known video of the first plane striking the World Trade Center. It includes profanity and some horrific scenes.Several dozen CBS affiliates have decided to either replace the documentary or delay its broadcast until after 10 p.m., when the Federal Communications Commission loosens restrictions – even though the film has already aired twice with little controversy."This is example No. 1" of the chilling effect over concerns about profanity, said Martin Franks, executive vice-president of CBS Corp."We don’t think it’s appropriate to sanitize the reality of the hell of Sept. 11," Franks said. "It shows the incredible stress that these heroes were under. To sanitize it in some way robs it of the horror they faced."Recently, Congress boosted the maximum fines the FCC can impose for indecency from $32,500 US to $325,000.The announcements to postpone or replace the documentary come as the Tupelo, Mississippi-based American Family Association readies its three million members to flood the FCC and CBS with complaints after the documentary airs, an effort that may trigger a close examination of the program by the FCC."This isn’t an issue of censorship. It’s an issue of responsibility to the public," said Randy Sharp, director of special projects for the group that describes itself as a 29-year-old organization that promotes the Biblical ethic of decency in American society."It’s a documentary," he said. "It shows firefighters in action and other people during the very frantic time of the attack on the twin towers. We know how terrible it was. We don’t have to be reminded of how we felt."The documentary first aired on the six-month and one-year anniversaries of the Sept. 11 attacks on the trade centre and the Pentagon. The latest showing will be on the eve of the five-year anniversary. It includes new interviews with many of the firefighters featured in the original program, describing how their lives have changed.Franks said it was an easy decision not to edit the language in the documentary. "It was a much more difficult decision five years ago when the emotions were much more raw and fresh," he said.Franks said it seemed "dishonest somehow" for the network to cover up the real language five years later because of the current regulatory environment. "What’s frustrating is the chilled environment in which we are having to operate," he said.
The AFA needs to get a life, this is a documentary that needs to be aired as is with profanity. I bet you every one of the members of the AFA said holy sh!t when they saw the planes hit the WTC on 9/11, so who are they to judge?
Yes, you read that right. Kevin Federline, husband of Britney Spears, who just bombed as host of the Teen Choice Awards will test out his acting chops on CBS’s CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. Not sure what he will be doing on the show or if he gets killed for all you dreamers. But I can tell you it was a family affair on the set last night, Britney and Sean Preston were on there to support him.
I think the crime that needs to be investigated on this episode is the fact that someone actually cast him on the number one show in America.
"Built To Kill, Part One" — When an aspiring dancer is murdered backstage during Cirque du Soleil’s KA show, the CSIs investigate what goes on behind-the-scenes to uncover the truth, on part one of the two part seventh season premiere of CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, Thursday, Sept. 21 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Grammy Award-winning recording artist John Mayer makes a cameo appearance, performing two new songs from his third studio album, Continuum. Mayer performs his current single, "Waiting on the World to Change," as well as "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room," for Catherine and Nick at a nightclub.Danny Bonaduce ("The Partridge Family") also guest stars as an ex-rocker who ends up a murder victim. The CSIs investigate first-hand the behind-the-scenes action of Cirque du Soleil in order to determine what may have contributed to the young dancer’s untimely death. Meanwhile, after Catherine and Nick visit a nightclub where John Mayer is performing, Catherine finds herself in jeopardy and must act as her own CSI in order to determine who may be targeting her and her family. Also, Grissom is perplexed after receiving an uncanny miniature replica of the crime scene he is investigating.
The FCC, hoping for a fast track through the courts, has been denied its timetable for CBS‘ appeal of the Janet Jackson/Super Bowl fine. Last week the Commission asked the Third Circuit Court of Appeals to move quickly on the case, with September 11 as the first date for paperwork to be filed. The FCC and CBS would respond, with verbal arguments beginning in early November.According to Broadcasting & Cable, the court has set September 27 as the beginning date for briefs to be filed, with 44 days of response. Verbal arguments would not begin on this timetable until the end of November or into December.Last month, CBS paid the $550,000 fine to the government over the now-legendary Super Bowl incident, but only to pave the way for the broadcaster to contest the fine in court.
"Built To Kill, Part One" — When an aspiring dancer is murdered backstage during Cirque du Soleil’s KA show, the CSIs investigate what goes on behind-the-scenes to uncover the truth, on part one of the two part seventh season premiere of CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, Thursday, Sept. 21 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Grammy Award-winning recording artist John Mayer makes a cameo appearance, performing two new songs from his third studio album, Continuum. Mayer performs his current single, "Waiting on the World to Change," as well as "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room," for Catherine and Nick at a nightclub.Danny Bonaduce ("The Partridge Family") also guest stars as an ex-rocker who ends up a murder victim. The CSIs investigate first-hand the behind-the-scenes action of Cirque du Soleil in order to determine what may have contributed to the young dancer’s untimely death. Meanwhile, after Catherine and Nick visit a nightclub where John Mayer is performing, Catherine finds herself in jeopardy and must act as her own CSI in order to determine who may be targeting her and her family. Also, Grissom is perplexed after receiving an uncanny miniature replica of the crime scene he is investigating.
