FCC saves Private Ryan from indecency gripes

United States communications regulators on Monday rejected complaints the broadcast of Saving Private Ryan, an acclaimed film about the rescue of a US soldier in Europe during World War 2, violated indecency limits.

The Federal Communications Commission unanimously decided that 159 ABC television affiliates did not violate indecency regulations when they aired the movie on Veterans Day in November, despite complaints about profanity and violence.

Sixty-six ABC stations decided against showing the award-winning film for fear of running afoul of the FCC, which has been cracking down on broadcast and radio stations after several high-profile incidents.

"The true colours are muddy brown and fire red and any accurate depiction of this significant historical tale could not be told properly without bringing that sense to the screen," said FCC Chairman Michael Powell, a US army veteran.

The movie included numerous swear words as well as an opening sequence depicting the landing of US soldiers on the beaches of Normandy, with soldiers shot, maimed and killed.

The FCC noted its authority under the indecency statute did not extend to violent programming.

Warnings about the movie's content were aired throughout the broadcast. The ABC network, owned by the Walt Disney Co., ran the movie twice before and did not attract FCC fines.

An ABC official was not immediately available for comment.

Some parents' groups and lawmakers have been pushing the FCC to take a harder line against broadcasters, like Viacom Inc's CBS network, which aired the infamous incident in which Janet Jackson's bare breast was shown during the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show on national television.

The FCC also denied a complaint by the Parents Television Council that sought action against NBC stations for airing an episode of Will and Grace that purportedly had references to drugs and graphic sex.

The same group, known for its campaign against indecency on the air, also complained about sexual references to homosexuality aired on an episode of Arrested Development on Fox television stations.

The FCC denied that complaint as well, saying both shows did not include material that was "patently offensive".

FCC regulations bar broadcast television and radio stations from airing obscene material and restrict indecent material to late-night hours when children are less likely to be watching. The limits do not apply to cable and satellite services.

NBC is owned by General Electric Co. , and Fox is controlled by News Corp.

- REUTERS