How do tv movies get censored?

Question

I see movies on tv all the time that have bad words censored, like "Next Friday", but show other scenes that could be viewed as just as bad as a profane word (such as a fight where one guy has blood on his face in the movie "Next Friday") . I want to know how this happens. And how , whoever censors these movies, do they get around the first amendment? Because I just heard of "clean flicks" , a company who censors movies so they are fit for "the whole family" , being shut down for censoring people's movies. What are the laws behind these situations? I have to do a speech on media censorship, and want to make sure I know about all the major laws and arguements that can be brought up in this subject.

I see movies on tv all the time that have bad words censored, like "Next Friday", but show other scenes that could be viewed as just as bad as a profane word (such as a fight where one guy has blood on his face in the movie "Next Friday") . I want to know how this happens. And how , whoever censors these movies, do they get around the first amendment? Because I just heard of "clean flicks" , a company who censors movies so they are fit for "the whole family" , being shut down for censoring people's movies. What are the laws behind these situations? I have to do a speech on media censorship, and want to make sure I know about all the major laws and arguements that can be brought up in this subject. Where can I find the list of FCC rules? I checked the site, but I cant find them.

Answer 1

The FCC lays down rules about what can and can't be broadcast. If the station is sent over the air, rather than via a paid cable channel, the broadcaster must modify the movie to meet the requirement.

The company will usually get a modified print from the distributor, or can modify it themselves. These arragements are approved with the film distributor, and disclaimers are always aired (modified for content, to fit the screen etc).

The companies you mention did not have any relationship with the distributors. They modified the movies without permission, which is a copyright violation.

This is not a first amendment issue, which protects your right to speak about anything you please - but rather about copyright and licensing of content.

Answer 2

1) censoring - to take out objectionable scenes (sex, overt violence, blood/guts/gore)
2) censoring speech - the editors take the existing footage and do a replacement speech (this is where voice overs are done by either the real actor or someone who sounds like that actor) and redo the lines and replace swear words with other words - ie f**k you would be rpelaced with someone saying "forget you")
3) there is no free speech issue in this. Free Speech cannot be cesnored if the government is limiting your speech. What private businesses can do to something they already own, is not a free speech matter. Also, there a FCC rules to abide by for anything shown on network (not cable) tv.

Answer 3

TV movies can be censored by the government monitoring the shows but are sometimes lenient on some episodes which the public can view. Thus, if government missed on some episodes, the people could file a case or protest against the entity showing the violations and the government agency that failed in the censorship.