Is There Censorship in Film and Television?

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Accusations are flying this week about censorship in the media. Michael Moore-s film, Fahrenheit 911 opens this week in Cannes, just days after Moore accused Disney of cowardice and censorship for refusing to distribute the Miramax film. Today, Michael Eisner responds in the New York Times, and Democratic Senator Frank Lautenberg is demanding hearings on what he calls a -pattern of politically based corporate censorship of the news media and the entertainment industry.- This comes on the heels of Sinclair Broadcasting-s decision not to run ABC-s Nightline program listing the names of military personnel killed in Iraq and Clear Channel-s decision to dump shock jock Howard Stern. Is this a pattern of censorship or corporate responsibility? ABC News correspondent Judy Muller guest hosts. (This program is a rebroadcast of one aired earlier today on To the Point.)
Guest host Judy Muller is a long-time correspondent for ABC News. Because ABC News is owned by the Disney Corporation, and because Muller often reports for Nightline, her capacity today is that of moderator rather than commentator.

Michael Moore, Fahrenheit 911

Sen. Lautenberg on Disney's refusal to air Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 911

Michael Eisner's letter to NY Times on Disney and Michael Moore

Nightline 'The Fallen' episode

Fox News Sunday, Chris Wallace interviews with Senators McCain, Bayh

MoveOn.org's "Child's Play" commercial

Clear Channel drops Howard Stern

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on indecency

FCC on media ownership

Credits

Host:
Warren Olney

Producer:
Frances Anderton