CBS 9/11 documentary censored?

Several CBS affiliates have decided to replace "9/11", a powerful CBS documentary on the tragedy, due to concerns over profane language used by firefighters. The documentary, narrated by Robert DeNiro was originally intended to be about the typical day of a rookie NYC firefighter, but was filmed on the day of the attacks. Originally aired in March 2002, it received Emmy and Peabody awards. This is an updated version.

"We don't think it's appropriate to sanitize the reality of the hell of Sept. 11th," said Martin Franks, CBS executive vice president. "It shows the incredible stress that these heroes were under. To sanitize it in some way robs it of the horror they faced."

So far a dozen affiliates have decided not to show the documentary, scheduled to be aired Sept. 10 from 8-10 p.m., while a dozen others have decided to show it later in the evening; and two dozen others have yet to decide.

The concern is over increased FCC fines for "indeceny" and pressure from groups such as American Family Association, which says it will mobilize its three million members to flood CBS and the FCC with complaints after the documentary is aired.

A Delco Times editorial complained that the protestors "will flood the FCC with thousands of complaints, tying it up for years and costing millions of taxpayers’ dollars until the matter is resolved."