PHOENIX, AZ — Monday night, during a news show hosted by former NBC news anchor Tom Brokaw, images of hardcore porn cut into the program in what was described by a spokesperson for the broadcasting company as an “act of human sabotage.”According to the Scottsdale-based East Valley Tribune, viewers in the area called cable provider Cox Communications and contacted local media outlets in droves to complain about the unexpected display of porn.

The porn showed up in a program addressing the issue of national health care, according to the Tribune. The program aired on station KPPX (Cox Channel 17 in Scottsdale) at 9:00pm Monday.

Brenda Schodt of Chandler, AZ, told the Tribune that she initially thought something was wrong with her television.

“Maybe five or 10 minutes into the show there was no volume,” Schodt said. “I thought it was the TV, but when I looked up, there were these images.”

“I’m an adult with college-age kids,” added Schodt. “But I was thinking of what it must be like for someone who has children at home.”

Tuesday, Cox Communications spokeswoman Andrea Katsenes said that the porn images were not caused by anything at her company and the problem was a “source issue” originating with the broadcaster.

ION Television, the West Palm Beach, FL-based company that operates KPPX, declined to say whether the porn was broadcast nationwide, or limited to the Phoenix area, according to the Tribune.

ION termed the problem “an act of human sabotage,” and ION spokeswoman Leslie Monreal said in a written statement that the company has “launched a rigorous investigation, and any implicated employees will face strict disciplinary action and termination.”

Monreal also apologized, stating that any “unauthorized programming” is treated seriously by the company and will be prevented in the future.

Chief engineer for KPPX, Ken Sell, told the Tribune that he hurried to the studio on Monday night to attempt to figure out what caused the problem. Sold said that he was viewing the “air check tape” that archives what is broadcast by KPPX, but had found no evidence that pornography was shown.

When the newspaper reached Sell again on Tuesday, however, he declined to provide any additional comment.

Brenda Schott didn’t appear satisfied with the explanation offered by KPPX or Cox Communications. “Someone has to be responsible here, because you certainly don’t want these things happening repeatedly,” Schodt said. “I can’t imagine what it’s like for these younger kids to see these things and ask their parents questions.”