Host of raunchy cable-access show returns to Seattle airwaves

The Associated Press

05.22.00

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SEATTLE — After a long legal battle, T.J. Williamson, who was kicked off Seattle's public-access cable channel two years ago for sexually explicit programming, is back on the air. And so is the adult material.

AT&T Cable, formerly TCI Cable, and the American Civil Liberties Union have reached a settlement that allows Williamson to return virtually uncensored while the company organizes a board to oversee cable content.

In mid-May, during his first show after the agreement was reached, Williamson featured a sex act with his girlfriend and clips from adult films.

Williamson came to the attention of city officials in 1998, when he and another sexually explicit public-access producer, Mike Aivaz, made the city and TCI uncomfortable with their material.

The federal government requires cable companies to allow people to exercise free speech. In addition to channels used by government agencies, AT&T allows an assortment of programs to air on public access Channels 77 and 29 in Seattle. Topics range from obscure political talk shows to the philosophical rantings of a nude woman.

After viewers complained, and the city tossed the issue back to the cable company, TCI suspended the shows of both Williamson and Aivaz, then allowed Williamson back on the air after he agreed not to show "any depiction of sex acts, actual or simulated."

Aivaz refused the same offer, so TCI filed suit in federal court. U.S. District Judge John Coughenour ruled in December 1998 that TCI could suspend the show — but raised questions about due-process issues. Aivaz, represented by the ACLU, appealed the ruling.

The two parties reached a settlement in March, agreeing that the cable company would appoint a three-member board to determine whether shows are obscene or a legitimate expression of free speech.

AT&T agreed to let Williamson back on the air now, unbound by his prior agreement to avoid sex acts. Aivaz's plans were unclear and he could not be reached for comment.

AT&T also is working out an agreement with the city to create a nonprofit agency to run public-access cable.

Williamson could not be reached for comment but told viewers that he would further push the edges of free expression on upcoming shows.