LOS ANGELES (dpa) – Movie studios in Hollywood, California are tightening security, after the FBI warns the facilities could be targets of terrorist attacks in advance of a telethon benefiting victims of last week’s terrorist bombings.
The warning from the FBI late Thursday comes just hours before a number of leading U.S. entertainers are due to gather at studios in Los Angeles and New York City for a special fund-raising show scheduled for nation-wide broadcast late Friday.
The studios (including Twentieth Century Fox, Warners Bros. and Sony) halted public tours and increased armed patrols in parking lots following the warning. They also alerted employees they could be subjected to searches.
The FBI said it has received what it called, “uncorroborated” threats against the studios and informed the companies as a precaution.
The U.S. entertainment industry has been cited as a possible potential target for anti-American extremists because of its role in spreading American culture around the world.
Four major U.S. commercial broadcasting networks (ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC) are sponsoring the event, called “America: a Tribute to Heroes,” which is to air at 9 PM, New York time (0100, Universal Time, Saturday). The telethon will be broadcast by Voice of America beginning at 0100 UTC.
Three-dozen television, cable and radio networks are expected to broadcast the telethon over thousands of stations throughout the United States, encouraging viewers and listeners to pledge cash donations to help victims of the September 11 attacks.
Appearances are expected by Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Clint Eastwood, Robin Williams, Bruce Springsteen, Willie Nelson, Mariah Carey, Paul Simon and Billy Joel.
Others have volunteered to answer pledge phones. They include Jack Nicholson, Meg Ryan, Brad Pitt, Cindy Crawford, Al Pacino and Sylvester Stallone.
All participants are working without pay.
