Appeals Court Axes Fine For Janet Jackson Wardrobe Malfunction...Yes, That's Still In The News
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It only took four and a half years but a federal court of appeals tossed the FCC's $550,000 indecency fine served to CBS Corp. for Janet Jackson's 2004 Super Bowl Halftime Show "wardrobe malfunction." Also involved in the incident was Justin Timberlake who during the two's collaboration "Rock Your Body" sang "Gonna have you naked by the end of this song" as he ripped a piece of Jackson's patent leather bustier off to reveal her nipple to 90 million television viewers, including lots of children.
It's not like ABC doesn't have the money, but in the court ruling the chief judge said "The FCC cannot impose liability on CBS for the acts of Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake, independent contractors hired for the limited purposes of the half-time show."
According to the appeals court the FCC "acted arbitrarily and capriciously" in fining CBS and did so only for because of the 'shock treatment for the audience.' The maximum penalty for indecency - $27,500 was fined to CBS Corp times 20 for each of the 20 CBS-owned TV stations. The indecency lasted a total of "nine-sixteenths of a second" -- too short for the fine, also the largest fine ever slapped at a US broadcaster.
"Like any agency, the FCC may change its policies without judicial second-guessing," the court said. "But it cannot change a well-established course of action without supplying notice of and a reasoned explanation for its policy departure."
I bet JT is gonna have himself a nice drink now that this whole thing is over. Janet Jackson too, but she doesn't strike me as a big drinker.
Comments (9)
And how much did it cost us to try to get this fine? Don't tell me the system aint broke - though we will be soon! This isn't justice, this is a poor attempt at extortion in the name of morals.
This country is run by a buncha fuckin' hypocritical pilgrims....grumble grumble...
Thank You. Now I can finally get some closure.
I still think it was just a publicity stunt
http://www.janetjacksonflash.com/
errr...umm...thanks for that close-up patrick i shall have nightmares now. it looks like an evil monster.
Oh god. Why the close-up?
You mean there was some scandal involving Justin Timberlake, Janet Jackson, and a wardrobe malfunction? Really?
How appropriate that immediately below your post is one titled "The horror...the horror".
Oh my god, I think I just got to 2nd base.
Do I see some hair there?
Seriously though, JT grinding on her and licking his finger and touching her booty don't constitute as "inappropriate", but as soon as a little skin is shown, the whole world comes crashing down.
Rubbish.