• AP, Thursday, January 14, 2010 10:24 PM

Three judges on a federal appeals court seem ready to toss out a government policy that can lead to broadcasters being fined for allowing even a single curse word on live television, with three judges hearing arguments sometimes mocking the government's position.

The judicial panel of the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan kept a government lawyer on the defensive with dozens of questions suggesting that the current policy violates the First Amendment. Judge Rosemary Pooler said she understood broadcasters' argument that the threats of fines would have a chilling effect on live coverage. "You know what a good lawyer would say, 'If in doubt, don't run it,"' she said. "And that's the chill." The judges then reserved decision.

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