Quote:
CBS STATEMENT REGARDING 'THE REAGANS'
"CBS will not broadcast THE REAGANS on November 16 and 18. This decision is based solely on our reaction to seeing the final film, not the controversy that erupted around a draft of the script.
Although the mini-series features impressive production values and acting performances, and although the producers have sources to verify each scene in the script, we believe it does not present a balanced portrayal of the Reagans for CBS and its audience. Subsequent edits that we considered did not address those concerns.
A free broadcast network, available to all over the public airwaves, has different standards than media the public must pay to view. We do, however, recognize and respect the filmmakers' right to have their voice heard and their film seen. As such, we have reached an agreement to license the exhibition rights for the film to Showtime, a subscriber-based, pay-cable network. We believe this is a solution that benefits everyone involved.
This was not an easy decision to make. CBS does tackle controversial subjects and provide tough assessments of prominent historical figures and events, as we did with films such as 'Jesus,' '9-11' and 'Hitler.' We will continue to do so in the future."
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In only a week or two the story of the new Reagan mini-series spread like proverbial wild fire across the internet and sparked a reaction that had CBS doing a duck and cover. They can claim it had nothing to do with the outrage a number of people felt, but I find that far fetched, in part because of this line "
and although the producers have sources to verify each scene in the script", where even the producers admitted they made a lot of it up based on how they FELT Reagan would react. Regardless it doesn't matter.
Now my question is, IS this good? Has the internet become a way to prevent the wool being pulled over the publics eyes. No story can go unchallenged, no voice unheard. Or has this become a negative thing, where everyone can spin freely and anything controversial gets removed out of fear of public reaction?
Has the internet become a censoring filter, where only the bland is allowed to come out?