In Lowell, MA late night viewers got more than they bargained for when they tuned into the local access channel. Viewers were outraged and it brings up the question of what is to much for a community. Most access channels have a community standards policy in place. Most stations also follow FCC guidelines on obscenity. SPNN puts the burden on producers. If there is adult content or material not suitable for all audiences, it is up to the producer to notify SPNN so it airs after 10PM. When filling out the Playback Release Form for each episode, producers must also state that no material is obscene, libelous, slanderous, nor an invasion of privacy or public right. If the producer has material that is either adult content or obscene and fails to mention it on the form, it is grounds for suspension of the membership and program.
For the full article on the Lowell situation follow the link.
https://mail.spnn.org/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.lowellsun.com/front/ci_5168303
