PBS Warns of War Documentary Language

NEW YORK - At least two TV stations will show an uncensored documentary about soldiers in Iraq (news - web sites) despite a warning from PBS that it can't insure stations against FCC (news - web sites) fines stemming from bad language.

The public broadcaster is distributing "clean" and "raw" versions of next Tuesday's "Frontline" documentary about the Iraq war, titled "A Company of Soldiers."

It's an example of the television's industry's continued uncertainty about Federal Communications Commission (news - web sites) standards for language and content, and a real-life echo of last fall's decision by 66 ABC affiliates not to air the movie "Saving Private Ryan."

The documentary contains 13 expletives spoken by soldiers. But "Frontline" producers also made a separate version with the words edited out, for use by some of PBS's 170 stations in more conservative parts of the country.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050218/ap_en_ot/tv_censored_soldiers_9

I guess the government considers this war indecent after all.

it's just the language that's the problem. I think the big thing that they need to do is to introduce a charm school element to boot camp training, and teach soldiers to use delicate language as befits proper young ladies and gentlemen in the service of their country.

If they would just do that, then any problems that we are having in association with this war would just go away. I'm just sure of it.
<heavy sarcasm>

What will we tell the kids?