ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, September 14, 1996 TAG: 9609160041
SECTION: NATL/INTL PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: WASHINGTON
TV stations may not refuse to broadcast a candidate's political advertisements or air them only in off hours just because they contain graphic images of aborted fetuses, a federal appeals court ruled Friday.
The Communications Act of 1934 gives candidates a ``special right of access'' to the airwaves, and channeling their controversial ads to a ``broadcasting Siberia'' after midnight amounts to a kind of censorship, the court said.
The 3-0 ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals overturns a 1994 order of the Federal Communications Commission, which told broadcasters they could act to protect children from disturbing images.
Lawyers said the decision will clear the way for graphic political ads on issues ranging from gay rights to gun control, euthanasia and animal rights.
- Los Angeles Times
LENGTH: Short : 28 lines KEYWORDS: POLITICSby CNB