In a Sunday Feb. 1, 2004 file photo, entertainer Janet Jackson, left, covers her breast after her outfit came undone during the half time performance with Justin Timberlake at Super Bowl XXXVIII in Houston. A federal appeals court in Philadelphia threw out out a $550,000 fine issued by the Federal Communications Commission against CBS Corp. Monday, July 21, 2008, for the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show that ended with Janet Jackson's breast-baring "wardrobe malfunction."(AP Photo/David Phillip, File)
A Washington Post analysis of all 92 known proposed indecency fines as of Nov. 10, 2005, shows that the agency's record of policing the airwaves has been undermined by plodding investigations, insufficient fine amounts and inconsistent follow-up.
Adam Thierer of the Progress and Freedom Foundation writes, "Just because the job of being a good parent is difficult, we should not call in government to act as a surrogate parent and make these decisions for all of us."
FCC at a Glance
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is an independent government agency, directly responsible to Congress. The FCC was established by the Communications Act of 1934 and is charged with regulating interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable.
The FCC is directed by five commissioners appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate for five-year terms, except when filling an unexpired term. The president designates one of the commissioners to serve as Chairman. Only three commissioners may be members of the same political party. None of them can have a financial interest in any Commission-related business. -- FCC Web site.
PHILADELPHIA -- Among the most notorious on-screen gaffes ever, Janet Jackson's breast-baring "wardrobe malfunction" on CBS during the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show drew a $550,000 indecency fine from the Federal Communications Commission. Now a federal appeals court has thrown it out.
A federal court yesterday tossed out a $550,000 fine against CBS for the split-second television exposure of singer Janet Jackson's breast during the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show.