[BC] TV feels chill

[Reader]

TV feels chill of whopping new indecency fines
Broadcasters turning cautious in face of possible $325,000 penalty
By 
<http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/entertainment/television/14803392.htm>David 
Ho
PIONEER PREEE & COX NEWS SERVICE

NEW YORK If you tune in to the PBS documentary series "Frontline" 
tonight, have no fear that you might be exposed to a dirty word. Even 
if you're a lip-reader.

In the new world of the $325,000 indecency fine, some broadcasters 
are taking no chances and are beginning to digitally blur mouths or 
cover them with black boxes.

After a recent directive from PBS that applies to all its programs, 
"Frontline" begins the new approach this evening before the new 
penalty becomes law, Louis Wiley, the show's executive editor, said Monday.

"First there will be lots of bleeps and boxes, and then I think 
they'll disappear" as producers edit out tough scenes and language 
earlier in the process, Wiley said. "I don't see how anyone could 
take the risk of fighting a fine that could be $325,000."

The Federal Communications Commission levied record indecency fines 
against CBS this year, and that was before Congress approved a 
tenfold increase in the maximum penalty that regulators can apply to 
racy or rude words and images.

The bill, which President Bush is expected to sign soon, is sending 
ripples across the broadcasting community, from small local TV and 
radio stations to major networks and Hollywood studios.

"Broadcasters are scared," said Jeff Stein, a media professor at 
Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa.

He said they are uncertain about what will get them in trouble, and 
"when the fines go up to this amount, they're not going to want to 
take a chance."



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