Selectmen fear censorship at Saugus TV

SAUGUS – A first draft of the rules and regulations handbook for Saugus Community Television Station has some selectmen concerned about censorship, but Christopher Peatridge, president of the SCTS Board of Directors, said the board is “not in the censorship business.”?As long as I?m here ? nobody will ever be (prevented) from saying their opinion,” said Peatridge, as he submitted a draft of the handbook to selectmen Tuesday night. “But if somebody?s point of view is illegal, amoral or something like that ? I think you people would probably be the first to act.”Selectmen Vice Chairman Steve Castinetti said Wednesday that he?s concerned about a section of the handbook that prohibits “improper” material.?My concern is that any controversial programming, such as we?ve experienced over the last couple of years, may find opposition from the Board of Directors or the Board of Selectmen,” Castinetti said. “I?m concerned that the evolution of SCTV to SCTS was the direct result of some controversial programming.”Castinetti questioned the subjectivity of “inappropriate” programming, asking, “Just because you don?t like what somebody says does it mean they can?t say it??I said last night that I am troubled, and I am,” Castinetti added. “I don?t always agree with the commentary of the people who appear on Saugus cable, but what I do agree with is that they have the right to say it.”Peatridge on Tuesday night said the handbook is just a draft and is “in progress,” but noted it?s “90 percent” complete.?It will be fine-tuned and we will make sure the final draft is proper, the First Amendment is protected,” Peatridge said. “That whole paragraph we will fine-tune once the lawyer looks at it.”Peatridge did, however, say that regarding programming, the board doesn?t want to see any “shenanigans.”?Nothing outrageous, nothing outlandish,” Peatridge said.According to the handbook, “The Operations Manager and/or Board of Directors reserves the right to prohibit any improper programming.” It also prohibits material “which constitutes libel, slander, pornography or invasion of privacy.”Castinetti asked Peatridge to define “improper programming” Tuesday.Peatridge acknowledged that the term “improper” is subjective, telling the board, “You?re improper would be different from mine.?Improper is something that is not nice and not good,” Peatridge said. “Something that is improper is not necessarily something that might be illegal, but something that?s in the eyes of the beholder. For the general public, if you look at something that?s improper, that?s going to be what you think it might be.”Peatridge said SCTS? attorney will make sure there?s no “shield or throttle” on anybody.Peatridge said one of example of improper programming occurred just 30 minutes after the station formally became SCTS. He said Selectman Stephen Horlick called him to let him know there was nudity in a movie on one of the channels.Horlick said that has happened before, both during late-night horror movies.?During summer kids stay up to 12 o?clock,” Horlick said. “To me it should be something we know about because we don?t know who it might offend ? It?s something I wouldn?t want my 8-year-old son or 12-year-old son watching.”Selectmen Chairman Mike Serino said he?s not “too concerned” about the handbook, noting he would consider only nudity to be “improper.”When it comes to show like “Downin? Town,” Serino said people have “every right” to speak their mind on SCTS.?All that stuff never bothered me at all,” Serino said. “I?ve probably watched two episodes. I don?t care who goes on there.”Selectmen plan to review the handbook and vote on it at the board?s next meeting.Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].