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UPI NewsTrack Entertainment News(UPI Newswraps Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) FCC attacking TV violenceWASHINGTON, April 24 (UPI) -- The U.S. television industry could soon face greater federal oversight when it comes to violent shows that might be viewed by children. The Washington Post reported Tuesday that government and industry sources say the Federal Communications Commission is close to recommending Congress pass legislation that would give regulators new powers to limit violence in entertainment programming. The FCC is expected to release a report to lawmakers in which it concludes that regulating TV violence, particularly between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., is in the public interest. The report maintains the U.S. Congress has the authority to regulate excessive violence similar to sexually suggestive material. For the first time, the FCC suggests Congress regulate basic cable TV channels besides public airwaves. Such regulatory attempts run counter to First Amendment experts and TV executives who contend attempts to regulate TV violence will face tough constitutional standards, particularly for cable programming, which are purchased services. Parents are always the first and last line of defense in protecting their children, but legislation could give parents more tools, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin told the Post. I think it would be better if the industry addressed this on its own, but we can also give parents help through regulation. Munch art thieves get more jail timeOSLO, Norway, April 24 (UPI) -- An appeals court in Norway has increased the prison sentences for three men convicted in the armed robbery of Scream and Madonna by Edvard Munch. The court Monday raised the prison term the lower court initially delivered to Petter Tharaldsen from eight years to 9 1/2 years, Aftenposten reported Tuesday. Tharaldsen is believed to have driven the getaway car. Bjorn Hoen, whom prosecutors originally pegged as the organizer of the robbery, saw his sentence increase from seven years to nine. Prosecutors had sought 11 years for him. Stian Skjold, whom police said they thought was one of two men brandishing weapons and removed the paintings from the walls, was acquitted by the lower court, but sentenced on a minor drug conviction. The appeals court handed him a 5 1/2-year term. Authorities said they believe the other robber died of a drug overdose before the case went to trial. The appeals court also ordered the men to pay about $252,200 in damages, which will help pay for repairs. 'Girls Gone Wild' guy sentencedPANAMA CITY, Fla., April 24 (UPI) -- Girls Gone Wild founder Joe Francis has been ordered to spend 35 days in jail for violating a federal order to surrender to authorities in Florida. The 34-year-old California entrepreneur, who wept in court, also was fined $5,000 Monday by U.S. District Judge Richard Smoak, the Panama City (Fla.) News Herald reported. Francis was given credit for 13 days he'd already served. Francis admitted he willfully violated Smoak's order to give himself up to authorities April 5. He was arrested at the Panama City airport five days later. Francis' attorney, Jan Handzlik of Los Angeles, was rebuffed by the judge when asking that the jail term be limited to 30 days. Handzlik said the additional five days could cost Francis another year in prison should he be convicted on a tax fraud charge he's facing in Nevada. Florida prosecutors also want Francis held on charges he used under-age girls in his business, as well as charges that he possessed controlled substances while in the jail and bribed a correctional officer, the newspaper said. Coroner steps aside in Diana inquestLONDON, April 24 (UPI) -- Elizabeth Butler-Sloss said Tuesday she was withdrawing as coroner for Princess Diana's inquest in London because she lacked experience for the jury hearing. In a statement, Butler-Sloss, said the inquest requires a jury and I do not have the degree of experience of jury cases that I feel is necessary and appropriate for presiding over inquests of this level of public interest, the (London) Daily Telegraph reported. Butler-Sloss originally decided the inquest would be conducted without a jury but the decision was overruled. Her announcement raised the possibility of further delays in the inquest into the deaths of Diana and her companion Dodi Fayed, which are to begin in October. Butler-Sloss said she would conduct pre-inquest hearings until she officially steps aside in June, when Lord Justice Scott Baker will take over. He will be the third person to oversee the inquest, which has yet to get fully under way in the nearly 10 years since Princess Diana, Fayed and their driver were killed in a Paris auto accident. Copyright 2007 United Press International |