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Bill Maher's free speech a privilege, not a right, says CBS

By Stone Martindale Sep 17, 2006, 18:04 GMT

On the Friday night live telecast of "Real Time with Bill Maher" on HBO, host Bill Maher revealed a recent go-round with CBS and Katie Couric's invitation to come on her show and discuss "free speech." Maher explained that CBS approached him to do a "free speech" segment on the new Evening News with Couric. He was told that he would be provided with a list of 'approved' topics." The caveat? No religion discussion allowed. Bill Maher found out after the fact that he had presented religion as his chosen topic. Maher's transcript:"Now, I have to say. I want to say something about what’s going on on that CBS 'Evening News' broadcast, because, full disclosure, they asked me to do one of their special features which they call 'free Speech' which I thought, “Great. Free speech.” I thought it was a little condescending to be like, “Well, we’re giving you free speech. Let the other 500 channels have egg on their face – we’re providing free speech to America.”But, I was very flattered, because, CBS News – that’s Edward R. Murrow, and Cronkite, Mike Wallace…I have them on a pedestal. But, it’s anything but free speech, and this is why I’m bringing it up. I’m not trying to rag on them, but, I mean, if CBS News doesn’t understand what free speech is, what am I supposed to expect of Fox News?"Katie Couric said on her broadcast that “expressing your opinion is one of the privileges of living in this country.” Maher retorted on his show:"Well, sorry again, but I thought it was a right, and not a privilege...and, again…I only bring this up because they’re treating it as a privilege. And, if CBS News doesn’t get the difference between a privilege and a right, we’re in a lot of trouble in this country."