NAATA, Fox Agree on Chan Movie Ban
Charlie Chan movies don't count as high art by anyone's standards, but to the National Asian-American Telecommunications Association, they are low racism unworthy of broadcast. Fox has recently succumbed to pressure from the organization in canceling plans for a film festival featuring these movies. The whole thing was resolved with a degree of sensitivity and gentlemanly behavior on both sides, which came as a pleasant surprise.
The full text of the exchange between NAATA and Fox can be read at http://www.naatanet.org/forumarchive/index.html. Suffice it to say, there were probably less-than-polite letters sent to Fox by others, but NAATA's letter was one of genuine indignation tempered by a sense that the other side may be acting out of ignorance rather than malice.
As for Fox, the company first laid out the reasons for offering the program, and then stated why the value of showing them was insufficiently compelling in light of the insult many might feel.
The important point here is that there is no question of censorship. NAATA members have seen and dislike Charlie Chan films and believe them to be insulting. Fox saw no compelling reason to insult viewers. Everyone, save mystery movie buffs (and for them, there are videos), leaves happy.
Now, if only the Alliance for the Protection of Morons would protest the reality shows on Fox, real progress could be made in other areas.