Balderas, a First Amendment attorney, explained why stations took a cautious approach when censoring profanity during the Carolina Hurricanes鈥 Stanley Cup celebration.
Assistant Professor of Journalism听Israel Balderas was featured in a recent听 article examining why North Carolina television stations censored portions of the Carolina Hurricanes鈥 Stanley Cup celebration broadcast amid ongoing scrutiny from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The story explores how broadcasters balance live event coverage with federal regulations governing indecent language.
Balderas, a First Amendment attorney, explained that stations likely took a cautious approach in light of the FCC鈥檚 recent investigations involving several television broadcasters. Although celebratory speeches during the rally included profane language, he said station managers were being cautious.
鈥淚f I was a news director or a GM, I would say, 鈥楲ook, I don鈥檛 want to add more fodder to this other issue, so let鈥檚 play it safe,鈥欌 Balderas told The News & Observer. 鈥淪o certainly that other legal FCC fight was in the mind of the people back at the station.鈥
The article notes that federal regulations prohibit the broadcast of indecent language on over-the-air television between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., giving stations reason to exercise additional caution during live events. Balderas says the solution is often 鈥渂leep first and ask questions later.”
鈥淭hat鈥檚 why viewers sometimes heard more silence than speech, and that was frustrating to them,鈥 he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not always elegant. But from the station鈥檚 perspective, it鈥檚 risk management.”
Balderas was also quoted in a about the current fight between the FCC and some television stations owned by The Walt Disney Corporation.