Sep. 4, 2006. 11:03 AM

NEW YORK—Broadcasters say hesitancy by some CBS network affiliates to air a Sept. 11 documentary next week proves there has been a chilling effect on free speech rights since federal regulators cracked down after Janet Jackson's breast was exposed on TV in 2004.

Actor Robert De Niro hosts the award-winning documentary that began as a quest to follow a rookie firefighter on an ordinary day but resulted in the only known video of the first plane striking the World Trade Center. It includes profanity and some horrific scenes.

Several dozen CBS affiliates have decided to either replace the documentary or delay its broadcast until after 10 p.m., when the Federal Communications Commission loosens restrictions — even though the film has already aired twice with little controversy.

"This is example No. 1" of the chilling effect over concerns about profanity, said Martin Franks, executive vice-president of CBS Corp.

"We don't think it's appropriate to sanitize the reality of the hell of Sept. 11," Franks said. "It shows the incredible stress that these heroes were under. To sanitize it in some way robs it of the horror they faced."

The announcements to postpone or replace the documentary come as the Tupelo, Miss.-based American Family Association readies its three million members to flood the FCC and CBS with complaints after the documentary airs, an effort that may trigger a close examination of the program by the FCC.

FCC spokeswoman Tamara Lipper said the commission routinely takes context into account in any decency analysis. "Context is always important," she said. "We don't police the airwaves. We respond to viewer complaints. We haven't seen the broadcast in question."

Associated Press Via The Toronto Star