FOX19.com and FOX19 News, weather, traffic, and sports for Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky | SAVING PRIVATE RYAN on FOX19 - FAQ's
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SAVING PRIVATE RYAN
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q. I heard that FOX19 is planning to air Saving Private Ryan. Doesn’t that movie include a lot of curse words?
A. We’re airing Saving Private Ryan because we think it is an important film that provides a unique opportunity for our viewers to learn about World War II and its impact on world history.
The film does include some coarse language, and we’ve taken steps to notify viewers about this so they can decide whether they want to watch. First, we are including a notice before the film starts and after each commercial break to notify viewers of the content of the movie. Second, the broadcast will be rated “TV-MA LV,” which means that it’s appropriate for mature audiences and includes coarse language and violence. Parents can use the V-chip built into their television to block this and other “TV-MA” programs if they want to prevent their children from watching them.
Q. How do I use my V-chip to block this program?
A. You can find information about how to use your V-chip by going to www.televisionwatch.org and clicking on “Help for Parents.”
Q. Are you planning to air Saving Private Ryan un-edited?
A. Although certain language will be edited, we will broadcast most of the film in its original form. The film’s director, Steven Spielberg, has limited stations’ ability to edit the film for broadcast. Also, we have decided — as have hundreds of other stations that have broadcast the film over the past 11 years — to offer the program without eliminating the coarse language so that our viewers can understand the full impact of the film’s message. We believe that this decision is the best way to serve the needs of this community.
Q. Why don’t you just edit out the profanity?
A. The use of coarse language during wartime reflects the raw emotion and devastation felt by those who fought on behalf of our country in World War II. Although it is disturbing, the language is necessary to show how the men and women who fought for our country reacted to what they witnessed.
Also, our ability to edit it was limited by the director, Steven Spielberg. But given the special importance of this film we thought it was better to offer the film without substantial editing than not to broadcast it at all.
Q. Isn’t it illegal to broadcast indecent material? I’m going to report you to the FCC.
A. We work hard to consider our viewers’ input, and we appreciate that you contacted us to express your opinion. We believe that our decision to broadcast the movie best responds to the needs and interests of the residents of our community. Also, you should know that the FCC has decided that it is not indecent to broadcast Saving Private Ryan without editing, so our airing of the film will not violate the law.
Q. If you air this film, with profanity, tonight, what’s to stop you from airing a pornographic movie at 7 p.m. tomorrow? Where does it stop?
A. We work hard to be a responsible member of our community, and we spent a lot of time considering whether to air this film. Because of the importance of the film’s subject, and its impact on history and government policy, we decided that we have a responsibility to bring this programming to our viewers. I’m sure you’ll agree those considerations would not lead the station to decide to air pornography.
General Manager
Bill Lanesey
Email: gm@fox19.com
Operations Manager
Rick Oliver
Email: rick.oliver@fox19.com
