Saving Private Ryan Preempted
"Saving Private Ryan" will not air tonight on Young Broadcasting Inc. television stations, including WTEN-TV/DT, Albany, NY and WCDC TV/DT, Adams, MA due to concerns about the film's realistic portrayal of wartime images and recent FCC actions regulating broadcasting.
The following is a statement from Young Broadcasting president Deborah McDermott:
Our ABC affiliated stations have, with reluctance, elected not to broadcast the highly acclaimed movie "Saving Private Ryan" in response to new and troubling legal standards from the Federal Communications Commission governing the kind of program content that may be broadcast prior to 10:00 p.m.
The broadcast of this movie on Veterans' Day would have served as a fitting tribute to the brave men and women in uniform who in the past and to this very day serve our nation with honor and distinction.
This has been a difficult and agonizing decision for us. However, we have a responsibility to operate in accord with the law, and until the FCC or the courts clarify what the broadcast legal standards are for programs of this type, we will continue to be confronted with these difficult choices.
We encourage our viewers to share their thoughts with us on all of our program decisions. We value viewer input and will, consistent with our legal responsibilities, continue to be responsive to it.
NPRs Snippet
ABC Affiliates Refuse to Broadcast 'Saving Private Ryan'
All Things Considered, November 11, 2004 · More than 20 stations affiliated with the ABC network decline to carry the network's broadcast Thursday of Saving Private Ryan. A contract requires that the movie be shown unedited, and some stations object its repeated profanity.
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On Veteran's Day, refusing to air this movie, just seems so wrong.