CBS will air "9/11" - question as to what you think of the following...?

Question

Some CBS affiliates are canceling or delaying the airing of this documentary after fears that they'll be fined by the FCC have arisen. The documentary follows firefighters during that day and their language is unedited. Apparently, there is a possibility that stations could receive a $325,000 fine for airing "obscenities." I guess where the problem lies is here:

"...The announcement came as the Tupelo, Miss.-based American Family Association readied its 3 million members to flood the FCC and CBS with complaints after the documentary airs..."

Do you think it's inappropriate to air between 8 and 10pm? Do you think parents who allowed their children to watch this (whatever age) would be more appalled by the firefighter's language than the reality of that day? Does it make you wonder where some people's priorities are?

If you agree with this family group, why? How can the actual replaying of history be obscene? How do you compare an entertainer flashing with that day's events?

And t_of_tlc, you really should watch your own words where you talk about others being ignorant of the English language. It actually gave me quite a chuckle to read your scribblings while knowing you had the actual giblets to feel superior to others who use foul language to express themselves.

Answer 1

**** the Tupelo, Miss.-based American Family Association

Answer 2

The events of 9/11 are horrific to be sure. If you have been to an accident scene, you will realize that many of our public services will watch thier language, due to it being in public. When it it is aired is irrevleant, it is what is contianed within the program that is the concern of many. The FCC came out with a ruling of fining a Teleivsion station, Radio station so much money for obscenities voiced on the air. This is a direction reaction to the language of Bruce Stern(sp) on his radio show. Whether or not parents would be appalled at what happened verses the language used, depends on how they feel about the war on terror at this time. I personallly feel that using obscenities is uncalled for whatever reason, it is in my opinon that it is a form of ignorance of the Engliah langauage. Replaying actuall history can be very tramatic, several years ago the movie Schindler's List came out about the holocaust during WWII, it has not in my opinon ever been showed on regular TV. If video recording was available during Caligula's time and it was recorded of what he did to his own family, advisors..and so on would you want your children to watch it? History can and is very educational, however it must be done in a manor that will not shock those who view it into not viewing it ever again. A statement made by those who show it telling people about actual films, and documents and where they can be found so those who want to know more can find it.

Answer 3

I strongly suspect this is censorship for political reasons rather than so called moral ones. I suspect that the film doesn't support some of the myths we have been led to believe about the effective leadership of prominent Republicans such as Guilani and perhaps Bush. Do you recall the uproar three years ago when ABC wanted to announce the names of servicemen and women killed in Iraq? There is an analogy here. This time the administration could be using its hand picked FCC flunkies and evangelical political action groups to limit the airing of an informative, but political unfavorable documentary on the pretext of salty language.

Answer 4

Bravo to the CBS affiliates for yanking this very ugly depiction of 9/11. I for one see no artistic merit in showing men widely regarded as heroes and angels uttering as their last words "f--k," "s--t," and so forth.

There's no more artistic merit in profanity than there would be in showing one of New York's Bravest dying in the World Trade Center, then keeping the camera on his lifeless body to show it defecating, another natural result of death in traumatic circumstances. [And I hope I haven't just given CBS an idea for its next 9/11 movie.]

As for those who raise the First Amendment, be mindful that it is also the right of affiliates NOT to have to run gratuitous crudeness.

Answer 5

This is what I think they should do. Show an edited version on CBS but only edit out only the swear words. Then on a CBS affilitate cable station show it unedited. Everyone gets what they want.

Answer 6

it should be played regardless. if you don't want to watch it then turn it off. simple as that. there will always be a warning ahead of time claiming viewer discretion is advised. blah, blah, blah.