Janet Jackson Super Bowl Flap: Appeals court ruling throws out FCC indecency fine against CBS
By John Amato Saturday Jul 26, 2008 4:15pm
Remember how the Janet Jackson "Boob Gate" story had the angry Conservative watch dog groups up in arms which as usual filtered down into the MSM? A court threw out the ridiculous fine against CBS.
When Janet Jackson's now infamous "wardrobe malfunction" occurred at the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show in Houston, any viewer who blinked missed the nine-sixteenths of a second exposure of her right breast as fellow performer Justin Timberlake tugged at her costume..
Not so fleeting was the near-hysterical reaction of the Federal Communications Commission, which launched a four-year morality crusade against indecency on the public airwaves and fined CBS $550,000. FCC officials failed to establish that CBS had advance knowledge of the stunt and wrongly concluded that Jackson and Timberlake were employees of the network.
In going after CBS, the FCC abandoned a long-held policy of ignoring brief, unscripted incidents of nudity or vulgarity beyond the control of broadcasters. The commission, then headed by chairman Michael Powell, also went after Fox Broadcasting for incidents in which Cher and Nicole Ritchie uttered expletives during awards shows. Moved by the tempests on a TV screen, Congress jumped into the act by increasing indecency penalties tenfold.
The judges sensibly ruled that Jackson and Timberlake were independent contractors rather than CBS employees, and that the FCC had changed the rules of its indecency enforcement without giving notice to broadcasters...read on
Brent Bozell's nutty PTC is up in arms over this decision. Here's a little info on the PTC
It was discovered in 2004 that Brent Bozell’s group called the PTC filed 99.8% of all complaints to the FCC. Read Jeff Jarvis’: “The shocking truth about the FCC: Censorship by the tyranny of the few.” Jarvis also lists a litany of frivious complaints filed by the PTC.
What a complete waste of time this was, but as usual conservatives like Bozell got to be taken seriously by the press even though he never polices what I would consider conservative pornography. Another embarrassing escapade for the Anna Nicole Smith Press corp.
Login or Register to post comments.
WTF?
If I had mooned the camera I'd still be in jail.
But because this bitch is rich she can get away with mad shit.
There will be a nude vigil tonight in the downtown plaza to honor the court's decision.
Imagine-- CHILDREN seeing a nipple! The HORROR! Thank God for formula.
I never could understand the big deal that was made over Janet and Justin whoring themselves on television. They both stole Micheal's act, and they suck at it.
How many times do you think Bill-O will rerun a close-up of the wardrobe malfunction. "Oh look, her breast is showing, that's just shocking, run it again"
I'm sure AARP appreciated the sight of a mature nipple.
jackson is stupid, and it is not cbs's fault she did that. and, over reaction was tell tale of things yet to come by bush and his minions.
This attack was personal against the Jackson Family. One only need to look at what was happening and how much money was involved. Look there was never a crime but it was done to bring Janet down and make sure her album didn't sell. The Jackson's give alot of money from the Jackson Family. The complaint that was filed by one older woman was done to keep the scandel in the headlines. Of course the case was tossed out and now even the fines given to CBS. We see worse on TV every evening without the FCC saying one word. This is what has happen to the United States when a corrupt Bush Administration has been running the country. Bush/Cheney have appointed stupid corrupt people in top jobs and it shows.
Americans loved Bush/Cheney so much they put them in twice and if there wasn't a limit Bush/Cheney would remain in the White House until another country takes over.
1 CAlI Says: WTF?
If I had mooned the camera I’d still be in jail.
But because this bitch is rich she can get away with mad shit
_________________________________________________________________
Here's a word of advice
Never moon a werewolf.
And Janet wasn't fined
CBS was.
bart @ 7:
So is Justin....he's just as at fault.
I have a different take.
I believe the Religious Right paid Janet to show her 'breast' so that they could go after the 'liberal media'. Sort of a TV September 11th. She is, afterall, a Jehovah Witness.
.
I still think Cambell Brown and Erica Hill are bigger boobs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzx6ttmbTbs
.
Bozell always yammers about how he represents "the will of the American people," as if 80% of them would have anything to do with a clown who spent five years claiming "Celebrity Deathmatch" would be the downfall of Western Civilization.
Left&Left @ 4:
It was all a publicity stunt. Janet had just released an album which was tanking. After the 'malfunction' sales briefly went up. Not for long though, because the album did suck. The whole thing was calculated to cause the uproar it did, which of course would only work here in the states. Europe would have just given it the hearty *yawn* it deserved.
They all do it but nobody plays the game better than Madonna. I'm pretty sick of hearing about all that right now when we're in 2 wars, on the brink of depression and have an election only months away. But hey, MSM only talks about what the people want to hear, right?
CAlI @ 1:
Get away with?
LOL I'm sorry but that's hilarious.
It's a breast. Even if you HAD mooned it would have been funny! It's just a body part. Is it necessary to exact revenge upon the defilers? :D
The whole side show over this "wardrobe malfunction" is a monumental joke.
Brent Bozell is a coward. He brings nothing. Just like James Dobson. Hate mongers.
ysbaddaden @ 9:
No one forced her to expose her tit she knew what was going on.
Why isn't Brent Bozell up in arms over all the gratuitous T&A on Fox News?
The real reason, I can only assume, is that years ago around the time of the founding of Fox News, Rupert Murdoch warned of a coming culture war. What he didn't tell us is that he'd be manufacturing it by playing both sides producing the most overtly salacious and offensive material while simultaneously attacking it on his news channel.
The losers who complained about Nipplegate were just bitter that Pat Boone wasn't the halftime act.
.
Kabuki Theatre, Stagecraft, sensationalizing of accountability...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzx6ttmbTbs
.
curtilingus @ 2:
O'Reilly and Fox will be sure to cover (no pun intended) for his entire show.
Anybody want to bet that Bozell is gay (not that there is anything wrong with that).
Rusty Shackleford @ 19:
Nah, they were holding out for Donnie and Marie.
We have continuing media consolidation which keeps lowering the bar as far as the information we actually get. This is spite of direct public opposition.
We have Faux news which is now definitively known to be a propaganda outlet for our criminal government.
And do we ever have a criminal government.
We have illegal wars and massive war profiteering.
We are accruing colossal debt.
Our Constitution is shredded .
And we have Janet Jackson's boob.
I ask you, where will it end.
I know I was scarred for life!
Alice X - trolling for perfection (Chomsky Nader) - status quObama - change you can pretend in - @ 24:
Obviously someone wants us to believe that Ms. Jackson's boob is the most important issue facing America today.
CAlI @ 1:
like showing one pierced tit?
why the snit?
laugh a bit,
as you sit.
Why does Big Brother insist on censoring any and everything shown on television? Using children as an excuse is real lame. They would not be offended in the least, if retarded parents didn't make a big uproar.
Alice X - trolling for perfection (Chomsky Nader) - status quObama - change you can pretend in - @ 24:
at brittany spears' front lawn.
ConcernedCanuck @ 28:
it ain't big brother , just pandering to dobson and the like.
All this for a bit o' tit flashed on TV?
The controversy over pictures of the armless Iraqi boy whose entire family had been wiped out by American bombs must still be raging...or not, as the case may be.
CoIntelPro for Pronktastic Victory Over SCLM, DIEBOLD, ESS and SEQUOIA! @ 27:
Oh dear did I rhyme?
I'll make sure not to do that next time.
As for Janet
She expected it.
When reading the listing of "friviolous lawsuits" filed by the ultra conservative PTC
organization, and noting that they lost 36 our of 36 cases wherein that organization
tried to have banned the work "dick or dickhead", I would assume that it is only
correct and approriate that the entire PTC should be referred to as "DICKHEADS"...
and when doing so, I don't have to worry about such term being wrong or subject
to some censoring.
For aroused as the right wing loonies got it was not even a very good example of a tit. Kind of disappointing actually. I know because I saw 827 times.
The world would be a better place with more exposed nipples.
Congress, in all their stupidity, called for hearing ONE DAY after this incident occurred. It took the bastards /SIX MONTHS before hearings were callled over 9/11.
This was one of the most ridiculous incidents in American history. The FCC's reaction was the real obscenity, and the witchhunt like atmosphere that followed this incident.
Then you find out that Bozell's organisation fired almost ALL of the complaints. Bozell should be charged with racketeering and extortion.
JaneaneTheAcerbicGoblin @ 36:
But, but, but,....you must remember, this occured during the Super Bowl...and inasmuch
as that is such a BIG event, the FDC had to react immediately, whereas the 911
incident was not, apparently, such a big deal to many in "our" know-all/see-all Congress.
r @ 35:
Someones never been in the deep fat fried south.
Trust me with many people the less skin we see the better.
With this ruling, those of us opposed to seeing 9/16ths of a second of exposed nipple have been dealt a stunning defeat.
Brent Bozell got what he wanted...Howard Stern ended up kicked off of terrestrial radio. Course, that inspired these power mongers to try to have the FCC invade cable and satellite radio.
doggiebobo @ 37:
Terrorist schmerorrist. This is America, dammit. Nobody f*cks with the SuperBowl!
P.K. McBurroughs @ 39:
Primary reason the court ruled as it did was because such exposure did not meet
the qualifications of "Boob Tube"
CoIntelPro for Pronktastic Victory Over SCLM, DIEBOLD, ESS and SEQUOIA! @ 27:
r @ 35:
The world would be a better place without war, neocons, and greed.
Let's honor this moment with a classic song from Eric Idle.
CAlI @ 17:
Jackie @ 8:
Who sez Bush/Cheney are leaving? I wouldn't put it past them to cancel the 2008 election after a "terrorist attack" in about mid October (esp. if Obama gets a big lead in the polls) and under the "Patriot Act", name themselves "President For Life".
I wasn't watching the game or the show. I happened to be on the computer IM'ing with a friend in Seattle, Washington. Her husband had the game on in the background, and when it happened, she messaged me with, "OMG! Timberlake just tore off a part of Janet's clothes, and we saw her breast!" We then had an impromptu contest to see who could find the first image of it on the internet. I won at just under 5 minutes.
TlalocW
W. teaser.
Brent Bozell should call his group The New Puritans. Europe laughs at us -- they have nude breasts on public t.v. on it hasn't destroyed their civilization, whereas we have an accidental nipple for a millisecond and it's "mother's grab your kids and avert their eyes from this evil-doing".
So, let me get this straight, John: you believe that people on the Right who engage in 1st Amendment protected free speech is "conservative porn?" What would you do, John, ban it? Typical liberal policy.
For the record, I did not think that cBS should have been fined, since they apparently had no foreknowledge of the stunt, as pointed out. Nor am I a particular fan of Bozell. While attempting to keep certain programming off the air during certain times, as mandated by the FCC, he does go to far at times.
P.K. McBurroughs @ 39:
Great snark!
CoIntelPro for Pronktastic Victory Over SCLM, DIEBOLD, ESS and SEQUOIA! @ 29:
We've seen quite enough of that, thank you very much
P.K. McBurroughs @ 39:
I haven't been the same since The Nipple.
And it didn't have anything to do with where the country has gone since then. It was The Nipple, damnit!
could there be a clearer indicator of just how deep the psychosis has set in with the g.o.p.?
what is G*d more offended by, the sight of ms. jackson's lovely nipple, or the occupation, massacre, pillaging and torture of iraq?
Otay @ 50:
Yep, how true. Been there and seen that...and I agree that European civilization has
not been destroyed....whereas here in the good old USA, we are going downhill, therefore I think more tits and ass need to be shown.
Otay @ 50:
I've always found it odd that Europe doesn't care about nudity in their media, on their beaches or even in areas in the cities (Munich has a famous 'nude area' in one of their city parks). Yet for the most part they are much more formal in their dress, speech and conventions. For instance women tend to dress more conservatively there even in Italy and France. Most especially young girls. Here in the states we have a major hissy fit over a fraction of a second of nipple on tv and don't think it strange that our young girls dress much older than they should. We let our children look like sluts but are terribly concerned about 'indecency' on our airwaves... what a strange, repressed screwed-up country we are.
Are Americans Idiots? Is that it? The debate over 9/16th of a second of breast is truly stunning. In fact she had a pastie on so it wasn't even a whole breast shot. That horrifies and scandalizes the right wing crazies, yet every single day of the year you'll be able to see horrendous murders and tortures as "entertainment". How many times have you seen movies and tv shows where they show people getting killed or tortured? Americans are insane.
Otay @ 55:
The "surge of the nipple", a new McLameBrain talking point, so to speak..
I hope you all know this is just a kind of sex discrimination. I’ve seen fat men at the beach with bigger breasts than a lot of women but it’s just the woman that can’t show then! WTF kind of double standard does the nation have anyway?
MsJoanne @ 46:
Attila the pun @ 61:
I've been trying to figure that one out for a while.
It makes as much sense as women being excluded from military drafts.
speaking of indecency...the trailer for w by oliver stone is now up on youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJh7Md5KuWc&fmt=18
as for what the fcc did in regards to "the nipple" was a concerted effort to drive opposing voices off the airwaves
look what happened to stern
and it occured when he began to speak out against the war, bush and the wingnuts
the fcc rules are not constituitional
and brent bozell is an evil fuck who should be waterboarded
thank you
CoIntelPro for Pronktastic Victory Over SCLM, DIEBOLD, ESS and SEQUOIA! @ 30:
We have the same self deluded censorship here as well, and we don't have any real superstar famous preachers/religious nuts..........
I think there should be more nipples on TV
A woman from Guelph Ontario a few years ago, fought tooth and nail for the right of women to walk around topless in Ontario. She won. She's never been seen topless since. Nor has very many females. What is the big deal?
dashriprock @ 66:
Fuck yeah! Amerikkka is so neurotic about sex. I blame the Church for it.
BTW, why the hell does Janet Jackson look like Michael Jackson after he got all that plastic surgery and filed off his nose? Big disgusting...
I'm glad the FCC got it's ass kicked in court!
I find it kind of funny and sad that the PTC and other groups like it get all in a huff over a boob or sexual innuendos on TV, but don't bat an eye about graphic violence on television. Nearly every American has had sex at some point in their lives and/or seen the naked human form. A VERY small percentage have committed murder or violent assault. Yet, somehow the former more damaging to our children than watching stylized murder. I mean, which would Jesus hate more, sexual intimacy or graphic violence?
CAlI @ 62:
"The sight of that nipple destroyed my life!"
That's like the man who says... "That priest fondled me from the time I was 17 until I was 37. Ruined!"
ConcernedCanuck @ 65:
Golly gee does that mean religion isn't to blame?
CAlI @ 32:
Let me say that I am saddened
that you did not listen to ysbadden.
and as for lovely janet
she most certainly planned it
since she was just funnin
with her partner justin.
The South Park in response to this in '04 was awesome...
CAlI @ 72:
dobson ain't about religion, he's about persecution, political influence and revenue.
I think that's worse.
Well thank god we all made it up to now. Boobgate was funny. I am 60 yrs old. Seeing someones boob hasn't made a bit a difference in anyones life. FORGETABOUTIT. Enough said already
MsJoanne @ 70:
CoIntelPro for Pronktastic Victory Over SCLM, DIEBOLD, ESS and SEQUOIA! @ 73:
It is not Janets nip slip
but rather the concept
some people you don't want to see naked
Wasn't there even a seinfeld about it?
Uncle Joe Mccarthy @ 64:
no!
thank you!
CAlI @ 78:
what was I thinkin', silly me!
this supposedly started out about the fcc.
CoIntelPro for Pronktastic Victory Over SCLM, DIEBOLD, ESS and SEQUOIA! @ 75:
And bigotry and hate. Don't forget the bigotry and hate!
CoIntelPro for Pronktastic Victory Over SCLM, DIEBOLD, ESS and SEQUOIA! @ 75:
dobson is a pervert who gets off on spanking children and telling others to do the same
he and bozell will both be in gitmo when i am crowned king
ConcernedCanuck @ 67:
the right to do so!
More boobs, less war.
Of course I'll have to admit my bias, I love boobies.
Reich wing conservatives are not frightened by soaring deficits, endless lie based trillion dollar wars, America's image trashed in the world, trampled constitution, trampled civil rights, a lawless imperial executive or recessions. What scares the bejeebus out of a reich wing conservative is an exposed titty.
in following with this ruling, i want to know when decisions will be made regarding companies forcing youtube to delete "copyrighted" content
on my page i posted a 1 minute clip from the show degrassi
this clip was edited out of the epi by The N
i posted this clip to show the insanity that has occured as a result of the nipple incident
in the clip, you see a person of legal age take off her dress as a form of protest...there is no nudity, but you see her panty covered behind
kids see more at the beach
i put it up sans commentary so that the viewers could make their own decisions about the insanity of this form of censorship (especially when the show deals with things like teen sex, rape, abuse, etc) and shows on network tv geared towards kids show much more
but youtube, due to the viacom lawsuit, saw this minute long clip as being copyrighted material not used under the fair use rule
it is totally fucking insane
my rant is done
Marvin El Canucki @ 84:
just google it. you'll find all you want.
craziest thing about the incident:
I'm watching at a gathering of christians and the men are screaming about the first half of football and reliving the runs and passes.
Next thing you know the women come in and tell us we missed the display.
It took three days to get the video off the web and few still were available until Tuesday.
Biggest Mountain-out-of-a-molehill story in the history of electronic media and, at the time, biggest googled and uploaded event in the history of http://www history.
Whoodathunkit? Huh?
If it were a caucasian nipple Janet would be America's hottest sex symbol since Marilyn Monroe.
Classic racism from the right wing!!
CoIntelPro for Pronktastic Victory Over SCLM, DIEBOLD, ESS and SEQUOIA! @ 83:
I have no problem with that, never did. Heck I've seen a helluva lot of guys topless that really SHOULDN'T!! Don't see a big deal at all. Bras and shirts are probably male inventions anyway.
Attila the pun @ 61:
LOL! Hey, wait a minute, that may have been my male breasts you're talking about!
Does anyone thinks that "flash" was a mistake...
Orangutan. @ 92:
No. See the Madonna playbook of record/concert promotion.
Orangutan. @ 92:
of course it wasnt
but it wasnt a big deal either
now, if janet had gotten on her knees, and timberlake had whipped out his cock and spooged all over her face, maybe then we would have a problem
I came to this thread late but read through each post expecting to see at least one reference to "tit for tat", but there was none. However I now see this is really a case of "no tat for tit".
Captain Bitter Whiner Husein Kangaroo @ 22:
Bozell is too stupid to be gay. All the gays I know are pretty damn smart. And they have really nice stuff too!
Listening to a wingnut welfare queen like Bozell is something the FCC should look into. Now thats obscene!
Gretchen @ 58:
We have some nude beaches and lakes. Hippie Hallow in Austin Texas for one and Haulover Beach in Miami is clothing optional and city run. California and New Jersey have famous nude beaches too. It could be a whole lot better if it were nationwide like in Europe. Puritanism isn't dead yet with the Faux moron types but it heading that way slowly but surely thank God. May this rejection of the outrageous nipplegate fine wake Americans up and end generations of body hatred for good.
Of course the FCC would do all they can to protect CBS, what other reason would they have to put all the sleaze they have installed on the executive board of that Federal Institution, other then to consistently walk hand in hand with the five idiots, Bush allowed to buy up and control all our media.
We have not heard one word from the FCC in regards to the Katie Couric protect McCain at all cost, caught in the act blunder. This was a tremendous CBS contract violation that deserves no less then the removal of this woman and all others caught in this kind of public deception. Keith Obbermon is the only one with common sense, that has his own show, that would stomp all over this mess and because of that was attacked by his own counterparts, that lack any kind of guts or courage to stand up to this kind of deception and distraction from truth. Yes I am talking about the little ass hole, better known as Morning Joe,, whom you know is also a fool.
This is the reason we have George Bush as the President and even worse, involved in this illegal war they plan to continue now using this old guy, whom they know is simply far to old and senile to manage the tremendous disaster that will be left by the Bush administration. In spite of the tiny bit of support for this old man, (watch em, after reading this, tomorrow they will show the old geyser with thousands of interested people in their made up back drops, in their cheap efforts to dispute this attack).
We have to remember how these people operate, The dumber the candidate is the more likely they will shove em out in our face as a person we should put in the highest office in the land and do exactly what we now see happening as our country completely rolls down that huge toilet, with all of us tumbling with it.
It is sad to see any American that would be dumb enough to fall for the cheap made for TV crap these people are selling, but not to worry, those of us with the good common sense, will look out for all of them as well.
The other stations are mum about what Katie did, because they too are just as guilty of the same kind of hypocrisy, but have not been caught like she has, except for people like myself and wonderful organizations like media matters, who are consistently all over these people like flies on shit. I hope they continue, cause I know I will.
I don't think it matters if it was a mistake or not!!
I think we need a new nipple surge in this country!!
CAlI @ 1:
Wasn't it Justin that ripped her shirt from her breast.
Why isn't he blamed for this shit??????
CAlI @ 17:
Justin ripped it? Are people actually ignorantly blind?
And why hasn't the FCC gone after the pharmaceutical companies for playing those offensive erectile dysfunction Viagra and Cealis ads during prime time television hours in front of the children? Those are extremely offensive and they're played continuously. Since bush has been in office, I've never seen so many pharmaceutical television advertisements. Damn republican hypocrites!
hotmouth @ 101:
Yes they are. Don't argue with the "That elitist America hating anti-surge Muslim Obama is responsible for higher gas prices" crowd.
Fritz @ 102:
And tampon commercials too ... jeesuz, like wtf??? I'm sitting on the couch eating a fucking sandwich and having a beer and a fucking tampon commericial comes on!!! Jesus H Christ!!! WTF are they thinking????????
Uncle Joe Mccarthy @ 94:
Uncle Joe Mccarthy @ 94:
LOL!
Boobs...bad...!
FCC rulings -- good!!
Holy moley, how many times did the FCC need to 'review' the taped evidence to arrive at their decision, I'm wondering?
#105 Marvin El Canucki
There's my laugh for the day, LOL
Sorry, Uncle Joe. I meant your comment!
Marvin El Canucki @ 104:
The point is hypocrisy. I don't think you get it dude. Enjoy your beer.
Titty five! Oh yeah!
Show the Todd some love!
Whoa....talk about missing the subject. I was responding to a guy who said he'd still be in prison if he mooned someone. I pointed out that it was CBS being punished with an excessive fine for something of minor import. Now somehow it's all racial with the one-trick-ponies.
Interesting that neither performer were fined in any way.
I understanded there was a plan for Justin to rip away part of Janet's costume, but something was supposed to be left behind for modesty sake (sounds like the name of a James Bond girlfriend). He accidentally grabbed away both. She immediately covered up. In that photo, he seems to have an, "Oh s**t!" expression. But while her career sufferered afterwards, his prospered, despite being a Mouskateer of no real talent.
I would say that has more to do with her being female. For some reason it's often held to be the woman's fault that men can be such animals. It's kind of like the rapist defense on how the woman was dressed.
You to play that in slow mo to see anything, not that I did or anything like, oh hell I love me some Janet.
During the very same half time show, there was a commercial for an upcoming CBS show (Law and Order?) which showed the "good guy" police character forcing a suspect against a wall with a gun plastered to his forehead screaming at him:"come on, just give me a reason...". No one said boo about this extreemely threatening scene which glorified violence. My kids were toddlers at the time and the youngest was still breast feeding. They saw nipples all day back then...
I don't understand why we put so much effort as a society into creating an environment where sex is repressed and violence is encouraged. I guess its the best way to raise good little Christian soldiers who will go off and fight for anything our Corporate leaders wrap up in a Bible and a Flag.
Suggestions for future Super-Bowl performances by Janet Jackson.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjkrWfZHPaM
Wardrobe malfunction?
Has anyone listened to the last line of what Timerlake was singing before the so-called, "malfunction?"
I kid you not:
"I'm going to have you naked before the end of this song."
Pile @ 116:
SHOCKING!!11!!!!!!!1111!!!!
:-P
Yeah, yeah, yeah-there are conspiracies everywhere, aren't there. 'Exposed titty with nipple shield' is hardly naked. And the outfit (the black outer garment) and the number was designed with the pull-off in mind. The malfunction was that he grabbed her (red) undergarment as well. That was not planned.
Also, in a nation of idiot pilgrims and pearl clutchers, THAT was, up to the time, the most rewatched bit on TIvo-4 times the traffic of anything close, Slick.
Must be nice to have never erred in your life. When you do though-no one will believe it was a mistake-they'll be sure you planned it. Then you'll know how these two feel.
These insane Christian fascists look at their own dicks and see monsters.
Isn't religion just lovely?
Brent Bozell need to choke to death on one of his own freshly severed limbs. What an utterly vile excuse for a human being.
Login or Register to post comments.