The FCC replaced decisions Nov. 6 that it previously made on four separate instances where it was alleged that broadcasters violated prohibitions against broadcast indecency.
The commission ruling addresses “The 2003 Billboard Music Awards,” “The Early Show,” “The 2002 Billboard Music Awards” and episodes of “NYPD Blue.”
The commission found that “the use of offensive language by participants in ‘The 2003 Billboard Music Awards’ and ‘The 2002 Billboard Music Awards’ ” was indecent and profane but did not propose penalties.
The commission also found the complaint regarding “NYPD Blue” to be inadequate to commence an enforcement action.
Finally, it found that an instance of profanity on the “The Early Show” was not indecent or profane “due to the fact that it occurred during news programming.”
The umbrella issue of broadcast profanity and indecency was brought to the public’s attention following the Feb. 1, 2004, Super Bowl halftime show as a result of singer Janet Jackson’s wardrobe malfunction. CBS, which aired the Super Bowl that year, and its owned and operated stations were fined $550,000.
For more information, visit: www.fcc.gov.
