If American history is too grisly for you, please turn the page and continue reading.
For those hardy souls who stayed put, congratulate yourselves for not living in fear of the Federal Communications Commission, better known as the FCC, better known to us as a public enemy.
ABC affiliates in at least eight states have decided not to run an unedited version of "Saving Private Ryan," Steven Spielberg's triumphant 1998 World War II picture, because it contains violent, grisly and graphic images. These scenes - particularly the film's realistic, bloody recreation of D-Day - are exactly what these affiliates fear will land them a hefty fine from the FCC. Bear in mind, this is the same FCC that determined one Janet Jackson breast cost $500,000.
What is staggeringly unfortunate in this situation is that the FCC has levied a culture of fear on American media outlets. Today, in 2004, it's regrettable that broadcast decisions are being made on potential penalty. Broadcasts are not being pre-empted, because that would be censorship. Affiliates, however, are pre-empting because they're frightened of being offensive. It's not censorship, but it's damn, damn close.
Even more disheartening, though, is the content at the center of this whirlwind. "Saving Private Ryan" is as thorough, accurate and artistic as World War II films come. There's not a gratuitous scene to be found, because frankly, it depicts American history and facts are generally exempt of "adult situations." Eight affiliates are afraid that American history will not meet the standards of a federally-run communications commission. Yikes.
The FCC needs to establish criteria for what is offensive and put a halt to this ad-hoc, arbitrary practice of levying hefty fines to undeserving images. To the affiliates, stand up for the First Amendment like you used to. We're all responsible for protecting it.
