MOVIE NEWS – The authorities considered that The Walking Dead “cried wolf” with this move…
The Walking Dead series committed a slight but nevertheless dangerous carelessness regarding consequences. Various emergency signalling systems operate in many countries around the world, often using unique sound and light signals. For example, there is one in the United States, where the authorities handle it so carefully that they sanction those who use it recklessly.
This includes film and television studios such as AMC, which was fined up to $104,000 for airing an alert in an episode of The Walking Dead. More specifically, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) slap related to a moment that takes place at the beginning of episode 10 of season nine, when TWD takes us back to the beginning of the zombie apocalypse and gives a glimpse into the origin story of one of the show’s key characters.
“These are warnings that can help save lives”
According to the authority’s reasoning, broadcasting it in successful series and films similar to the one in question helps the unique voice code to spread among the public. They fear that the public will become desensitized to its radiation, “leading to life-saving warnings to be ignored,” either because the sound is disturbing to them or because they are tired of hearing it. Therefore, they prefer to reserve a monopoly on their use to the competent authorities, with heavy penalties for those who violate it.
“Unauthorized use of alarm system sounds undermines the system itself and poses a significant threat to public safety.”
“The underlying policy is not only limited to the possible confusion of listeners during the inappropriate transmission of emergency tones; the Commission also warns that the unauthorized use of simulated tones – for commercial or entertainment purposes – is “crying wolf” or “alarm fatigue” can lead to an impact,” the FCC says in its statement.
The Walking Dead isn’t the first to be fined
For another example, it’s worth looking at what happened to The Young Sheldon, the prequel to The Big Bang Theory. In an episode of the family sitcom’s first season, they played a sound warning of an impending tornado, which resulted in them being fined $272,000 by the Federal Communications Commission. Jimmy Kimmel’s talk show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, was also forced to pay $395,000 for a similar situation in 2019.
The Walking Dead universe returns on October 3rd with the second season of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, in which Melissa McBride returns to her legendary role as Carol Peletier opposite Norman Reedus.
Source: Xataka
