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Frank StantonFrank Stanton
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Session:         Page of 755

Stanton:

Well, Pastore insisted that the networks set up a system of clearance and that you couldn't have--and he said: “I don't want to do it. I want you guys to set up your own clearance system.” I was the only one of the three who said: “I won't do it. I won't be a party to that.” Not because I didn't believe that we should have high standards, or higher standards than some people wanted, but because I didn't want him to reach down and say: “Well, you can put this news on, but you can't put that news on.” And once you open that gate, it can go all the way.

But that could happen--and you're getting a little bit of it now on sex and violence--in the Congress. Because when these congressmen go home and go to their local churches and Kiwanis Clubs, the guys are saying: “Hey, that was pretty raw. How do you let these guys get away with that?” And that will put you right into a knockdown, drag out fight over the First Amendment, and if the broadcasters prevail and don't clean up their act after that, then I think Congress will say: “Well, we'll fix their wagon. We'll just pass an amendment to the Constitution that says we do have this control.” A long, dirty, tough, unpleasant fight. I won't live to see it, and I'm sorry I won't [laughs] because it would be, from an intellectual point of view, one hell of a ball game.

Now cable is out from under the yoke of the FCC.

Q:

By virtue of--

Stanton:

It isn't using the airwaves.

Q:

Just using the airwaves, right. They can't do much.





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