US TV network CBS will appeal again (for the third time, I reckon) the $550,000 fine it has been ordered to pay by media regulator the FCC over the legendary TV moment that was Nipplegate. As previously reported, the increasingly hardline FCC fined CBS the maximum penalty it was legally allowed to after 540,000 mentally scarred Americans phoned in to complain about Janet Jackson's breast exposing dance routine in the Superbowl half time show of 2004 - which CBS produced (via then sister station MTV) and aired. In their latest appeal CBS call the unprecedented fine "unconstitutional" and "arbitrary", adding that while Nipplegate was an "inappropriate and unexpected" episode, they have apologised for it and have implemented safeguards to prevent similar broadcasts happening again. They conclude: "We disagree strongly with the FCC's conclusions and will continue to pursue all remedies necessary to affirm our legal rights". The FCC say they will fight CBS' appeal - adding that CBS are "out of touch with the American idiots" (or words to that effect). I suspect the regulator will win again - especially given that Congress and the White House is behind them all the way on this one, recently passing new legislation that would allow the FCC to pass even greater fines should a similar event happen again.
Jul 31, 2006
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1 min read
CBS to appeal Nipplegate fine again
CBS is appealing the $550,000 FCC fine over Janet Jackson's 2004 Super Bowl performance, calling the penalty unconstitutional and arbitrary, while the FCC says it will fight the appeal.