Ohio Cable Access Fight Has Preachers, Porn Producers on Same Side

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http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGB179CV18E.html

AKRON, Ohio (AP) - When pornographic films accidentally aired on the cable access channel Christmas morning, the city was flooded with complaints.

That was too much for officials, who had heard for years from residents angry because the channel that showed school programming by day was airing a mix of sermons, sexually suggestive music shows and homemade skin flicks by night.

Stricter rules now govern what goes on the air and the company has imposed a fee for public access, but one producer has sued and what started as a local rift has ballooned into a censorship battle that is being watched nationwide. Both sides are waiting for a federal judge reviewing a request for an injunction to stop the fee.

Public access cable stations usually air low-budget community announcements, educational programming and local government meetings. Some show amateur music videos and local political commentary. Rules vary nationwide, based on agrements between municipalities and cable companies.