Powell Urges No Action on ‘Ryan’ Airing

The head of the Federal Communications Commission has recommended that it reject indecency complaints against ABC television stations that recently aired the film “Saving Private Ryan,” an FCC official said Monday.

Sixty-six ABC affiliates refused to air the uncut movie on Veterans Day last month, citing concerns that they could face fines for profanity and graphic violence from the FCC, which has been cracking down on broadcast indecency.

FCC Chairman Michael K. Powell has concluded that the agency should not take action against the other 159 stations that aired the acclaimed movie because the language was part of accurately portraying the story about the Allied invasion of Normandy during World War II, the FCC official said.

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who was a Vietnam prisoner of war, and other leading conservatives endorsed airing the 1998 film that won five Academy Awards.

The FCC received some viewer complaints after the film aired.

Powell’s recommendation will go to the four other FCC commissioners for a vote, the official said. Two more commissioners must back the proposal for it to pass.

An FCC spokesman declined to comment as did a spokeswoman for ABC, a unit of Walt Disney Co.

“Saving Private Ryan” had run twice before on broadcast television and did not incur the FCC’s wrath.

Because of an agreement with the studio backing the film, DreamWorks SKG, ABC was obligated to run it in its entirety without editing. The network aired warnings during commercial breaks about intense language and violence.

Radio and television broadcasters are barred from airing indecent material, typically graphic sexual content, except during late-night hours when children are less likely to be listening or watching.

Stations that violate the rules could face fines of up to $32,500 per incident. This year, a bid failed in Congress to increase the maximum fine to $500,000.

The FCC has been cracking down on indecent antics on television and radio. This year, it admonished NBC stations for airing an awards show in which U2 singer Bono shouted an obscenity onstage.

The agency is trying to fine 20 CBS stations $550,000 for the broadcast of the Super Bowl halftime show, during which singer Janet Jackson’s bare breast was exposed briefly, sparking outrage among some family groups.

Powell, who has been criticized by broadcasters for eroding free speech rights with the indecency crackdown, said recently that context was crucial in deciding whether a show was indecent.