TV & VIDEO - July 5, 1988

Madison, Wis., TV station WISC finds itself in hot water after unintentionally broadcasting a closed-captioned message promising its deaf viewers--in terms usually associated with locker rooms--views of breasts and buttocks during the Miss Wisconsin beauty pageant. WISC news director Tom Bier said Sunday the caption was mistakenly aired after it was filed on the department’s computer. The female employee responsible was suspended for five days, said station manager David Banks. Sue Captain, co-director of the Miss Wisconsin pageant, called the message “completely demeaning--not only to the pageant, but to the deaf community as well.”