The Federal Communications Commission has levied a $10,000 fine against the crew of NBC's "Law & Order" -- but the penalty has nothing to do with salty language or grisly shots of dead bodies.
In fact, it has nothing to do with what appears on TV screens at all. The fine comes as a result of crew members' walkie-talkies interfering with New York City's public-safety radio pool, according to Broadcasting & Cable magazine.
It seems that some crew members were using high-powered walkie-talkies, which come under the heading of "portable radio transceivers," to communicate while on the show's Manhattan set. The devices caused interference on the public-safety radio frequency, according to a complaint filed in March.
Broadcasting radio transmissions without a license is a punishable offense under FCC regulations, but it's usually reserved for pirate-radio operators. NBC says the "L&O" staffers didn't know they needed a license to use their walkie-talkies and weren't told as much by the vendor who sold the equipment.
NBC Universal TV, which produces the "Law & Order" shows, says in a statement that it "takes seriously its obligations to comply with FCC requirements" but doesn't agree with the fine. The studio says it will review its options on the case. |
