FCC Petitioned to Investigate Sci Fi’s "Scare Tactics"
Television Monday, February 24, 2003 . This is a SciScoop post by tobor2003
There is fallout from a lawsuit brought last week against Sci Fi Channel by a disgruntled participant in Sci Fi’s new program “Scare Tactics”. Several concerned viewers have accused Sci Fi of promoting terrorism and are asking the FCC to investigate.
“They are terrifying and harming people without their permission, in order to further a cause. That is the definition of terrorism. The cause they are furthering? Their own corporate profits,” says an anonymous spokesperson for the campaign. “These horrific acts are being done for entertainment,to be broadcast on national TV. We have started an online petition to allow people to express their concern about this.” The petition can be found on the internet here. The petition is addressed to Universal Studios, Sci Fi Channel and the FCC.
“The damage they could cause with this show is not limited to the unwitting participants in these malicious pranks. ‘Scare Tactics’ and shows like them often inspire copycat efforts by viewers, especially young teenagers. You may be familiar with injuries and deaths inspired by MTV’s ‘Jackass’. Imagine what could happen if a victim of such a terrorizing prank had a serious heart condition. This show brings TV programming to new depths of social irresponsibility.”
The petition also calls for the resignation of Bonnie Hammer, Sci Fi’s president. “She is the one who needs to take ultimate responsibility for this.”
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11 Responses to FCC Petitioned to Investigate Sci Fi’s "Scare Tactics"
DualCPU
February 24th, 2003 at 3:46 pm
While I don’t agree it’s terrorism, I agree that this show is criminal in the way it treats the victims of its pranks. In it’s latest commerical for this monstrosity, SciFi says "You could be next". That’s definitely a threat.
Also, shouldn’t the petition have at least a link to some info about the person that is suing SciFi as a result of one of Scare Tatics’ pranks. That would make it more powerful.
rickyjames
February 24th, 2003 at 4:10 pm
Next up on TV is people getting recorded while they get fake pregnancy and cancer diagnoses…and actors dressed up as cops saying your Sig Other has been in a car wreck…and that an IRAQI guy had something to do with 15 SAUDIS on a plane a year and a half ago and is RIGHT NOW on the VERY VERGE of unleashing on Our Homeland something that’s EVEN WORSE…
Wait a minute…
Anonymous
April 26th, 2003 at 6:06 pm
he’s 18 an he is so bossy i wont to scare him so bad he would’ntmess with no boby no more
Anonymous
April 26th, 2003 at 6:08 pm
he’s 18 an he is so bossy i wont to scare him so bad he would’nt mess with no body no more
Anonymous
May 5th, 2003 at 8:52 am
For “Scare Tactics”? Eh, I could go either way. But she needs to go for cancelling MST3K!
Anonymous
May 5th, 2003 at 9:05 am
While I don’t condone the actions on the show, I feel it’s important to get all the facts before condemning something. I did some more looking on the net, and came across this site.
Quote from the article: “They (critics of the show) seem to disregard the friends and family members (who actually have a big hand in setting up the pranks) and would rather assume that the “victims” are merely random innocent people suckered in by the show’s “cruel” producers. Which is not true.”
Below is the full article.
http://www.tvtome.com/tvtome/servlet/ShowMainServlet/showid-11797/
Anonymous
May 9th, 2003 at 7:21 pm
Sure, they say their friends work with the producers to ensure the pranks are “appropriate”, but one of the current previews shows a 5ish year old girl looking terrified, cowering next to her equally terrified mother. I don’t think it’s appropriate for adults to play pranks on children like that.
Anonymous
August 4th, 2003 at 3:51 pm
I think that scare tactics it is not terroism, i think it is a humorous way for friends to get back at their friends. It is their friends that call the show and VOLUNTEER to be on it. So if people think it’s so wrong and humiliating then you should stop watching it and stop complaining.
Anonymous
March 15th, 2004 at 7:52 pm
Come On people, get a life.
This show is funny, they scare you and they let you know right at the time when you are almost scared its harmless. Come on, screw the FCC you people better watch how much power you give too these twits the FCC. They are going to start cotroling whatever they want. This is America, United States of America last time I looked the land of the free and the brave. If you dont like it turn the channel. If your on the show and it scared you, good, laugh about it. Dont sue the show sue the friend who hired scare tactics to do it to you. We have to stop this little petty crap, scare tactics I love your show, its great.
Keep on scaring the crap out off people.
mrpeanut237@aol.com
Anonymous
October 5th, 2004 at 9:44 am
Do you people have any feelings for the victims! No…anyone who loves this show is evil and should go to hell in a handbag!
Actually…..I’m just playin’.
This is probably one of the best show ever created in the history of mankind. All you critic are just a bunch of pussies. They actually do an intense profile of the “mark” and consult with friends and family to see if they can handle the prank ie…won’t have a heart attack…or throw themselves out a window.
If any of you were reviewed, you would be immediately rejected as potential marks because your friends and family would indicate that your whining pussies who can’t take a joke.
Don’t worry….. you WONT be next.
Anonymous
December 8th, 2004 at 7:40 pm
If you don’t like it, change the channel.