Reporting live. Very carefully: fearful of costly FCC fines, news director ponder the risks of reporting from the field, where the unexpected can happen.(Viacom Inc.)(Kron)(Federal Communications Commission )

Broadcasting & Cable, July, 2005 by Romano, Allison

During the recent San Francisco Pride Parade, KRON News Director Mark Antonitis began to feel a little tense when he saw a group of female motorcyclists head toward him. Referred to as "Dykes on Bikes," some members of the entourage are sometimes known to ride topless--and they were moving into camera range.

Besides Antonitis, almost everyone involved with the story that day--the program director, producers, photographers, audio technicians and reporters--was on the lookout for a shot that might earn them an indecency fine from the FCC. "Everyone is aware they have to be conscious of this," Antonitis says. Luckily, the bikers passed--some topless--but no nudity got on-air. Young Broadcasting-owned KRON has reason to be careful: The station is still...

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