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)

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.

Court tosses FCC 'wardrobe malfunction' fine

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.

Super Bowl Fine Is Voided

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.

Indecency Headlines

Court tosses FCC 'wardrobe malfunction' fine (AP, July 21, 2008; 8:16 PM)

Excerpts from `wardrobe malfunction' ruling case (AP, July 21, 2008; 11:10 AM)

Networks Say Live TV Is at Stake in Fox Decency Case (Post, April 5, 2008; Page D01)

Fox Refuses To Pay FCC Indecency Fine (Post, March 25, 2008; Page D01)

Supreme Court to Review FCC Ban on Profanity (Post, March 18, 2008; Page A01)

FCC Slashes Fox TV Penalty: Indecency Fines Levied Only Where People Complained (Post, February 23, 2008; Page D01)

ABC Faces Indecency Fine For 2003 'NYPD Blue' Episode (Post, January 26, 2008; Page D01)

A Crash's Echoes, From War Zone to Washington: In 2004, Blackwater Flight 61 Raised Now-Familiar Questions About Contractors and Accountability (Post, October 17, 2007; Page D01)

Court Hears Jackson Costume Malfunction (AP, September 12, 2007; 5:26 AM)

Court Hears Jackson Costume Malfunction (AP, September 11, 2007; 4:42 PM)

Court Hears Jackson Costume Malfunction (AP, September 11, 2007; 11:37 AM)

Super Bowl Striptease Back on Stage (AP, September 10, 2007; 2:40 PM)

YOUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK: Outsourcing Justice? That's Obscene. (Post, July 15, 2007; Page B03)

Google Fights Global Internet Censorship (AP, June 25, 2007; 1:56 PM)

Analysis: Ruling Drives Indecency Debate (AP, June 6, 2007; 5:38 PM)

Broadcasters Win Appeal Of FCC's Profanity Ruling (Post, June 5, 2007; Page A01)

FCC Expected To Impose Record $24 Million Fine Against Univision (Post, February 25, 2007; Page D01)

Court Suspends Enforcement of FCC Ruling: Broadcasters Had Appealed FCC's Findings on 'NYPD Blue' and Other Shows (Post, September 8, 2006; Page D03)

Some Stations Want Cursing Out of '9/11' (AP, September 3, 2006; 10:40 PM)

Sinclair Puts 9/11 Show In Late-Night Time Slots: Broadcaster Cites Risk of Fines (Post, September 2, 2006; Page D01)

TV Industry Unites On Viewer Education: Advertisements Teach Parents About Blocking Objectionable Programming (Post, July 25, 2006; Page D05)

Six-Figure Fines Worry Broadcasters (Post, July 11, 2006; Page A01)

FCC to Revisit Media-Ownership Rules: Commissioners Face Changed Landscape (Post, June 22, 2006; Page D05)

Is Decency Going Down the Tubes? (By Ruth Marcus, June 21, 2006; Page A21)

Congress Increases Indecency Fines Tenfold (AP, June 8, 2006; 4:23 AM)

Cleaning Up the Board: Meeting Sites Want a Nicer Environment -- for Advertisers (Post, June 8, 2006; Page D01)

The Price for On-Air Indecency Goes Up: Congress Approves Tenfold Increase in Fines FCC Can Assess (Post, June 8, 2006; Page D01)

Congress Approves Higher Indecency Fines (AP, June 7, 2006; 6:13 PM)

Frist Pushes Senate on Indecency Legislation (Post, May 4, 2006; Page D01)

Networks Sue Over Indecency Rulings: Lawsuits Say FCC Exceeded Authority (Post, April 15, 2006; Page D01)

The Accidental Shock Jocks: Does FM's future depend on four guys who got their start on cable access? (Post, February 26, 2006; Page W12)

FCC Plans Fines in Broadcast Indecency Cases (Post, February 23, 2006; Page D02)

The Ruling That Opens a Crack in the Door (Post, January 5, 2006; Page C01)

Cable Firms to Offer Family-Friendly Packages, Trade Group Says (Post, December 13, 2005; Page D05)

Stern on Satellite: A Bruised Flower, Blossoming Anew (Post, December 11, 2005; Page D01)

A Decent Proposal for Kids and TV (By John Kelly, December 8, 2005; Page C10)

FCC Chairman Supports 'A La Carte' Cable: FCC Chairman Aims To Limit Indecency (Post, November 30, 2005; Page D01)

Match.com's Criss-Crossed Lovers (Post, October 9, 2005; Page F07)

TV Preview: Censors and Sensibility: AMC Gives Us 'Bleep!' (Post, April 26, 2005; Page C01)

FCC Head Downplays Regulation: Cable Industry Urged to Handle Decency Issue (Post, April 6, 2005; Page E01)

Dropped-Towel Skit Earns Scolding but No Penalty for ABC (By Lisa de Moraes, March 15, 2005; Page C01)

Anti-Indecency Forces Opposed (Post, March 26, 2005; Page D12)

FCC's New Standards-Bearer: Bush Picks Vocal Indecency Opponent Kevin J. Martin to Head Commission (Post, March 17, 2005; Page E01)

Senator Bids to Extend Indecency Rules to Cable: Industry Defends Its Self-Policing Activities as Sufficient (Post, March 2, 2005; Page E01)

House Raises Penalties for Airing Indecency (Post, February 17, 2005; Page E01)

FCC Aims to Speed Evaluation of Indecency Complaints (Post, February 9, 2005; Page E01)

NFL Strives For G-Rated Super Bowl (Post, February 6, 2005; Page A01)

Powell To Resign As Head Of FCC: Tenure Marked By Deregulation (Post, January 22, 2005; Page A01)

New Year, New Gadgets, And Maybe New Rules (Post, January 1, 2005; Page E01)

Where Aired, 'Private Ryan' Draws a Crowd (By Lisa de Moraes, November 13, 2004; Page C01)

'Saving Private Ryan': A New Casualty of the Indecency War (By Lisa de Moraes, November 11, 2004; Page C01)

Legislation Increasing Indecency Fines Dropped (Post, October 8, 2004; Page E01)

FCC Plans Record Fine For CBS: Halftime Show Found Indecent (Post, September 4, 2004; Page E01)

Bill Would Raise Fines for On-Air Indecency: Senators Amend Defense Legislation (Post, June 23, 2004; Page E01)

Congress Acts to Curb Offensive Programs: Senate Panel Proposes Stiff Fines, Delaying Media Consolidation (Post, March 10, 2004; Page E01)

Transcript: Station Break (washingtonpost.com, March 2, 2004; 1:00 PM)

Howard Stern Booted In Clear Channel Indecency Crackdown (Post, February 26, 2004; Page C01)

FCC Chief Hopes to Raise Cost of Airing Indecency (Post, January 15, 2004; Page E03)

Indecency

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From The Post's Print Edition

Court tosses FCC 'wardrobe malfunction' fine

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.

Super Bowl Fine Is Voided

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.