BOSTON -- It is with great regret that we at Channel 5 have decided not to air the film, "Saving Private Ryan," at a time when children could be watching. We consider the multiple Oscar-winning film to be no less than a work of art with significant social and historical import. In another time we would have been proud to air such a fitting tribute -- today of all days -- on Veterans Day saluting brave soldiers, past and present, who have defended our nation and its freedoms.

However, "Saving Private Ryan" does contain frequent instances of profane language and long scenes depicting the violence and horror of war. The motion picture industry has recommended that only mature audiences watch this film. We aired the film uncut in 2001 and 2002 with appropriate viewer warnings, in the belief that in the context of an important broadcast event, it was the right thing to do.

However, recent decisions by the Federal Communications Commission -- post-Janet Jackson and Bono -- have established new legal standards for what we may and may not broadcast prior to 10 p.m.

We asked the ABC Network to allow us to air the film at 10 p.m., established as a "safe harbor" for programming by the FCC. To our disappointment, ABC has denied our request, leaving us with the difficult decision to pull the film entirely.

We at WCVB are not afraid of fines. However, first and foremost among our responsibilities as broadcasters, is to respect all our viewers, particularly children, and to honor and protect our public license with the FCC.