Last night, if you tried to watch Saving Private Ryan on ABC, chances are, you were probably able to watch it [we got it here in Philly]. But about 10% of ABC's 225 or so affiliates did not air it. Why? Because affiliates were not given assurances from the FCC that they would not be fined as a result of complaints from the viewing public.
This story has become an international issue. The Guardian reports:
Like other ABC affiliates, WSB [Atlanta] had asked the network for permission to air the movie after 10pm - outside the slot for family viewing - or to cut out potentially offensive language. ABC refused, citing agreements with Mr Spielberg that the film not be edited, and offered to pay if the stations were fined.
However, the stations argued they could jeopardise their licences if they were censured by the FCC. WSB last night was going to air a special on the former president Jimmy Carter instead.
The networks here are now scared shitless as a result of the election of W last week. The president of Citadel Communications, Ray Cole, which owns 3 ABC affiliates did not air Saving Private Ryan and cited the election as a reason for not airing the film:
We're just coming off an election where moral issues were cited as a reason by people voting one way or another and, in my opinion, the commissioners are fearful of the new Congress
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