CBS Takes Jackson Fine to Court

CBS TAKES JACKSON FINE TO COURT
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
CBS has paid the $550,000 indecency fine for the Janet Jackson Super Bowl incident, but only so it can take the decision to court. "CBS is filing today an appeal with the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit seeking to overturn the FCC’s finding that the 2004 Super Bowl half-time broadcast was legally indecent," the network said in a statement. A prerequisite for filing this appeal is to pay the $550,000 fine, which we are also doing today only for this procedural reason." CBS was paying a $27,500, then the FCC maximum, for 20 station cited. It made the wire transfer to the FCC Friday "under protest." "CBS has apologized to the American people for the inappropriate and unexpected half-time incident, and immediately implemented safeguards that have governed similar broadcasts ever since. However, we disagree strongly with the FCC’s conclusions and will continue to pursue all remedies necessary to affirm our legal rights." The FCC's response Friday was essentially, 'Bring it on': "The Commission will vigorously defend the Forfeiture Order issued against CBS," it said in a statement. "CBS’ continued insistence that the halftime show was not indecent demonstrates that it is out of touch with the American people. Millions of parents, as well as Congress, understand what CBS does not: Janet Jackson’s “wardrobe malfunction” was indeed indecent."
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6357266.html

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