Before the
Federal Communications Commission
In the Matter
of COMPLAINTS
AGAINST VARIOUS TELEVISION LICENSEES[1]
CONCERNING THEIR FEBRUARY 1, 2004, BROADCAST OF THE SUPER BOWL XXXVIII HALFTIME
SHOW |
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File
No. EB-04-IH-0011 NAL/Acct. No.
200432080212 |
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NOTICE
OF APPARENT LIABILITY FOR FORFEITURE
Adopted:
August 31, 2004
Released:
September 22, 2004
By the Commission: Chairman Powell
issuing a statement; Commissioners Copps and Martin
approving
in part, concurring in part and issuing separate statements; and
Commissioner Adelstein approving in part, dissenting in part and
issuing a
statement.
1.
In this Notice
of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture (“NAL”),
issued pursuant to section 503(b) of the Communications Act of 1934, as
amended
(the “Act”), and section 1.80 of the Commission’s rules,[2]
we find that the licensees of the CBS Network Stations, as defined
herein,[3]
aired program material on February 1, 2004, at approximately 8:30 p.m.
Eastern
Standard Time, during the halftime entertainment show of the National
Football
League’s Super Bowl XXXVIII, that apparently violates the federal
restrictions
regarding the broadcast of indecent material.[4] Based upon our review of the facts and
circumstances of this case, Viacom Inc. (“Viacom”), as the licensee or
ultimate
parent of the licensees of the Viacom Stations, is apparently liable
for a monetary
forfeiture in the aggregate amount of Five Hundred Fifty Thousand
Dollars ($550,000.00),
which represents the statutory maximum of $27,500 for each Viacom
Station that
broadcast the material. We propose the
forfeiture for the broadcast over the Viacom Stations of indecent
material, in
apparent violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1464 and section 73.3999 of the
Commission’s
rules.[5]
Although we conclude that the non-Viacom-owned CBS Affiliate stations
also
aired this programming, for the reasons discussed herein, we decline to
propose
a monetary forfeiture or other sanction against the licensees of those
stations.
II. BACKGROUND
2. During the days and weeks that followed the February 1, 2004, Super Bowl broadcast, the Commission received an unprecedented number of complaints alleging that the CBS Network Stations aired indecent material during the program.[6] Specifically, the complaints state that the halftime segment, which featured musical performances by Janet Jackson, P. Diddy, Nelly, Kid Rock and Justin Timberlake, contained indecent material, including “crude,” “inappropriate,” “lewd” and “sexually explicit” dancing and song lyrics, culminating in a performance by Ms. Jackson and Mr. Timberlake that concluded with Mr. Timberlake’s removal of a portion of Ms. Jackson’s bustier, exposing her breast to the camera.[7]
3. On February 2, 2004, the Enforcement Bureau (the “Bureau”) sent a letter of inquiry to CBS Broadcasting, Inc. (“CBS”), also a subsidiary of Viacom and a Commission licensee,[8] concerning the material described above allegedly broadcast over the CBS Network Stations.[9] By letter dated February 3, and in response to a request in the LOI, CBS provided a videotape of the broadcast of the halftime performance[10] and, by letter dated February 10, submitted an “interim response” to the LOI.[11] CBS provided, as Exhibit 9 to the CBS Interim Response, a videotape of January 29, 2004, rehearsals of the halftime show (the “Rehearsal Videotape”). On February 14, also at the request of the Bureau,[12] CBS supplied videotapes of its complete February 1, 2004, Super Bowl programming broadcast over the CBS Network Stations, including all of the commercials aired therein and the halftime segment (collectively, the “Broadcast Videotape”).[13]
4. On March 16, CBS submitted its response to the LOI, certified to by Susanna M. Lowy, Vice President and Associate General Counsel of Viacom and CBS. [14] Therein, CBS admits that the material in question was aired live over each of the CBS Network Stations.[15] Acknowledging that the broadcast included the exposure of Ms. Jackson’s breast, CBS states:
no officer, employee or agent of Viacom Inc.. . . CBS, or MTV Networks. . . had any advance notice or warning that the Super Bowl halftime performance involving Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake would include the exposure of Ms. Jackson’s breast. The exposure resulted from a poorly-executed stunt that was planned by the performers without any involvement from Viacom, CBS, or MTV, all of whom would have forbidden the stunt if there had been any indication that it was planned. While CBS regrets the incident, the Commission should acknowledge that it was unplanned, unanticipated, and contrary to what we intended.
CBS Response at 1.
5. CBS claims to have taken “advance precautions to ensure that the telecast would not contain any material inconsistent with CBS standards and practices or in violation of the FCC rules. Such measures included, for example, implementation of a five-second audio delay to allow editing out of any unacceptable utterances in the audio of the live entertainment portions of the Super Bowl broadcast . . . .”[16] CBS states further that the exposure of Ms. Jackson’s breast was “unexpected,” that Viacom subsidiaries, the CBS Television Network and MTV, “issued prompt apologies” and that “CBS also acted quickly to prevent any similar situation on future telecasts” by “instituting a five-minute audio and video delay to ensure that no unexpected or unplanned video images would be broadcast” during its televising of the Grammy Awards on February 8, 2004.[17] CBS has also provided the declarations of Ms. Jackson and Mr. Timberlake. Ms. Jackson states, “I did not tell anyone who was a representative, officer, director or agent of Viacom, CBS, MTV or the NFL of any possible costume reveal in my performance. . . Further, there was no costume reveal during any rehearsal for the Halftime Show.”[18] Mr. Timberlake similarly indicates “I did not communicate the plan to do the costume reveal to any officers, employees or representatives of Viacom, CBS, MTV or the NFL.”[19]
6. The CBS Response also includes the script of the halftime segment,[20] which was approximately 15 minutes in duration and was produced by MTV Networks (“MTV”), also a Viacom subsidiary.[21] Our review of the Broadcast Videotape and the script, which CBS represents to depict the content of the actual broadcast,[22] reveals that the halftime segment consisted of a series of musical performances on a stage situated on the playing field. Included was a performance by Janet Jackson, in which she wore a black leather and studded outfit, similar to those worn by the male and female dancers who participated in her performance. She was soon joined by Justin Timberlake for a duet of “Rock Your Body,” during which he urged her in the song to allow him to “rock your body” and “just let me rock you ‘til the break of day” while following her around the stage and, on several occasions, grabbing and rubbing up against her. At the close of the song, immediately after singing the lyrics, “gonna have you naked by the end of this song,” Mr. Timberlake pulled off the right portion of Ms. Jackson’s bustier, exposing her breast.[23]
7. The Federal Communications Commission is authorized to license radio and television broadcast stations and is responsible for enforcing the Commission’s rules and applicable statutory provisions concerning the operation of those stations. The Commission’s role in overseeing program content is very limited. The First Amendment to the United States Constitution and section 326 of the Act prohibit the Commission from censoring program material and from interfering with broadcasters’ freedom of expression.[24] The Commission does, however, have the authority to enforce statutory and regulatory provisions restricting indecency. Specifically, it is a violation of federal law to broadcast obscene, indecent or profane programming. Title 18 of the United States Code, Section 1464 prohibits the utterance of “any obscene, indecent or profane language by means of radio communication.”[25] In addition, section 73.3999 of the Commission’s rules, which was promulgated for the civil enforcement of that statute and section 16(a) of the Public Telecommunications Act of 1992,[26] provides that radio and television stations shall not broadcast obscene material at any time, and shall not broadcast indecent material during the period 6 a.m. through 10 p.m.
8. Under section 503(b)(1) of the Act, any person who is determined by the Commission to have willfully or repeatedly failed to comply with any provision of the Act or any rule, regulation, or order issued by the Commission shall be liable to the United States for a forfeiture penalty. In order to impose such a penalty, the Commission must issue a notice of apparent liability, the notice must be received, and the person against whom the notice has been issued must have an opportunity to show, in writing, why no such forfeiture penalty should be imposed.[27] The Commission will then issue a forfeiture if it finds, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the person has violated the Act or a Commission rule.[28] As set forth in greater detail below, we conclude under this standard that Viacom, as the licensee or the ultimate parent of the licensees of the Viacom Stations, is apparently liable for a forfeiture for its apparent willful violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1464 and section 73.3999 of the Commission’s rules.
A. Indecency
Analysis
9. Any consideration of government action against allegedly indecent programming must take into account the fact that such speech is protected under the First Amendment.[29] The federal courts consistently have upheld Congress’s authority to regulate the broadcast of indecent material, as well as the Commission’s interpretation and implementation of the governing statute.[30] Nevertheless, the First Amendment is a critical constitutional limitation that demands, in indecency determinations, that we proceed cautiously and with appropriate restraint.[31]
10. The Commission defines indecent speech as language that, in context, depicts or describes sexual or excretory activities or organs in terms patently offensive as measured by contemporary community standards for the broadcast medium.[32]
Indecency findings involve
at least two fundamental determinations.
First, the material alleged to be indecent must fall within the
subject
matter scope of our indecency definition—that is, the material must
describe or
depict sexual or excretory organs or activities. . . . Second, the
broadcast
must be patently offensive as
measured by contemporary community standards for the broadcast medium.[33]
11. As an initial matter, CBS does not dispute that the CBS Network Stations, the Viacom Stations listed in Appendix A and the CBS Affiliates listed in Appendix B, each aired the material described in paragraph 2, supra, during the February 1, 2004, telecast, during the period between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.[34] Because the broadcast material contained, inter alia, a performance by Ms. Jackson and Mr. Timberlake that culminated in on-camera partial nudity, Ms. Jackson’s exposed breast, the material warrants further scrutiny to determine whether or not it was patently offensive as measured by contemporary community standards for the broadcast medium.[35]
12. In our assessment of whether broadcast material is patently offensive, “the full context in which the material appeared is critically important.”[36] Three principal factors are significant to this contextual analysis: (1) the explicitness or graphic nature of the description; (2) whether the material dwells on or repeats at length descriptions of sexual or excretory organs or activities; and (3) whether the material appears to pander or is used to titillate or shock.[37] In examining these three factors, we must weigh and balance them to determine whether the broadcast material is patently offensive because “[e]ach indecency case presents its own particular mix of these, and possibly, other factors.”[38] In particular cases, one or two of the factors may outweigh the others, either rendering the broadcast material patently offensive and consequently indecent,[39] or, alternatively, removing the broadcast material from the realm of indecency.[40] Here, we examine all three factors and determine that, in context and on balance, the on-camera exposure of Ms. Jackson’s breast is patently offensive as measured by contemporary community standards for the broadcast medium.
13. At the outset, review of the Broadcast Videotape leaves no doubt that the Jackson/Timberlake segment is both explicit and graphic. The joint performance by Ms. Jackson and Mr. Timberlake culminated in Mr. Timberlake pulling off part of Ms. Jackson’s bustier and exposing her bare breast. CBS admits that the CBS Network Stations broadcast this material, including the image of Ms. Jackson’s bared breast, but argues that the exposure of her breast was unexpected and the duration of the exposure was for only 19/32 of a second.[41] Although the exposure was brief, it was clearly graphic.[42] Assertions that the exposure was fleeting and unintentional are more appropriate to the analysis under the second and third factors, as discussed below.
14. As to those factors, throughout the Jackson/Timberlake segment, the performances, song lyrics and choreography discussed or simulated sexual activities, concluding with the exposure of Ms. Jackson’s breast. In particular, we note that Mr. Timberlake pulled off part of Ms. Jackson’s clothing to reveal her breast after he sang, “gonna have you naked by the end of this song.”[43] Therefore, we find the nudity here was designed to pander to, titillate and shock the viewing audience. [44] The fact that the exposure of Ms. Jackson’s breast was brief is thus not dispositive.[45]
15. Based upon the preceding analysis, we find, in context, that the exposure of Ms. Jackson’s breast was apparently indecent, and, therefore, is legally actionable.[46] By airing this material, the licensee of each of the CBS Network Stations apparently violated the prohibitions in 18 U.S.C. § 1464 and section 73.3999 of the Commission’s rules, the rule against broadcast indecency.
B. Proposed Forfeiture
16. Based upon our review of the record in this case, we conclude that the licensee of each Viacom Station is apparently liable for the willful violation of our rules. The Commission’s Forfeiture Policy Statement establishes a base forfeiture amount of $7,000 for transmission of indecent or obscene materials.[47] The Forfeiture Policy Statement also specifies that the Commission shall adjust a forfeiture based upon consideration of the factors enumerated in section 503(b)(2)(D) of the Act, 47 U.S.C. § 503(b)(2)(D), such as “the nature, circumstances, extent and gravity of the violation, and, with respect to the violator, the degree of culpability, any history of prior offenses, ability to pay, and such other matters as justice may require.”[48]
17. Significant to our consideration of these statutory factors are the respective roles of CBS and MTV in the preparation, execution and promotion of the halftime segment. We note that, in the wake of the uproar precipitated by this broadcast, in the CBS Response and elsewhere, officials of CBS and MTV have each expressed their surprise at and regret over their Super Bowl broadcast of this material.[49] For her part, Ms. Jackson has assumed personal responsibility, representing that she did not advise Viacom, CBS or MTV “of any possible costume reveal,” although notably failing to represent that the costume reveal was inadvertent.[50] Similarly, Mr. Timberlake has stated, “I did not communicate the plan to do the costume reveal to any officers, employees or representatives of Viacom, CBS, MTV or the NFL.”[51] However, whether or not officials of these companies had advance knowledge of Ms. Jackson’s breast-baring finale to the halftime program is not dispositive. The materials provided in the CBS Response, including the final broadcast script,[52] the Rehearsal Videotape and the Broadcast Videotape, establish that officials of both CBS and MTV were well aware of the overall sexual nature of the Jackson/Timberlake segment, and fully sanctioned it—indeed, touted it as “shocking” to attract potential viewers.[53] The record here demonstrates that CBS failed to take reasonable precautions to ensure that no actionably indecent material was broadcast.[54]
18. In this regard, CBS acknowledges that its officials and those of MTV conducted substantial review of the content of the halftime show before the broadcast, including the Jackson/Timberlake finale.[55] The January 29 Rehearsal Videotape confirms that, three days before the Sunday national broadcast, officials of CBS and MTV, as well as members of the CBS Broadcast Standards Department and Program Practices Department, had full advance notice of the sexually provocative nature of the segment, including the choreography, the songs and their lyrics (albeit apparently not the exposure of Ms. Jackson’s breast).[56] According to the CBS Response, these officials sought only to: (i) instruct a dancer to change her costume to one that was not as “revealing;” and (ii) have Kid Rock remove his reference in his performance to “bastards from the IRS,”[57] a line that he, in fact, delivered during the broadcast.[58]
19.
Furthermore, materials provided by CBS from
the MTV
website establish that MTV aggressively promoted the program in such a
light
for days before the telecast. In
response to a question in the LOI,
CBS provided a copy of a news item with its Response
that MTV posted on January 28 on its website, entitled “Janet Jackson’s
Super
Bowl Show Promises ‘Shocking Moments.’”[59] The item states, “As the big game approaches,
one of the top questions along with ‘Who’s going to win?’ is ‘What will
Janet
Jackson be doing at the halftime show?’”
It quotes
20. An hour after CBS broadcast the halftime show, its MTV corporate affiliate posted an item on its website entitled “Janet Gets Nasty,” promoting its planned replay of the halftime segment. [61] One hour later, it revised the item to include the following language:
Jaws across the country hit the carpet at exactly the same time. You know what we’re talking about…Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake and a kinky finale that rocked the Super Bowl to its core. P. Diddy, Kid Rock, & Nelly rounded out the halftime show in the midst of the greatest game on earth. MTV was Super Bowl central, so armchair quarterbacks, fair weather fanatics and fans of Janet Jackson and her pasties were definitely in the right place. So strap on those pads, keep your head down and get the full recap of The AOL Super Bowl XXXVIII Halftime Show produced by MTV.[62]
21.
In its Response
to the LOI, CBS states that the January
28 item “was based on an interview with Mr. Duldulao by an MTV news
reporter
who flew to
22. Even if we accepted CBS’s explanation that it was Mr. Timberlake’s surprise appearance to which MTV was referring in its continual pre-broadcast promotion of the “shocking nature” of the halftime show, an assertion that reasonably could be called into question,[64] the fact that MTV executives reviewed the January 28 item before it was placed on the site and apparently did not think to inquire further of Mr. Duldulao, at a minimum, portrayed an attitude of willful indifference to the content and tone of what was ultimately broadcast. Under the circumstances, we do not believe that CBS exercised sufficient control to ensure that actionably indecent material would not be aired, and we hold it responsible for the indecent programming broadcast to an average of over 90 million people,[65] including the millions of children watching, whom CBS could reasonably expect to be included in the viewing audience. [66]
23. In sum, even assuming that neither CBS nor MTV had advance knowledge that Ms. Jackson’s breast would be exposed during her broadcast performance, the record clearly establishes that officials of CBS and MTV did have prior knowledge of, indeed were intricately involved in the planning process for, and tacitly approved, the sexually provocative nature of the Jackson/Timberlake segment. Moreover, they extensively promoted this aspect of the broadcast in a manner designed to pander, titillate and shock. Viacom made a calculated and deliberate decision to air the Jackson/Timberlake segment containing material that would shock Super Bowl viewers, and to accurately promote it as such.[67]
24. In this case, taking into account all of the factors enumerated in section 503(b)(2)(D) of the Act, because of the particular culpability here of Viacom, through its subsidiaries the CBS Television Network and MTV, and the history of recent indecent broadcasts by Viacom-owned radio stations,[68] we find that the licensee of each of the Viacom Stations is apparently liable for a forfeiture of $27,500, the statutory maximum, per station that broadcast the subject material, for a total forfeiture to Viacom, as licensee or ultimate parent of each of those licensees, of $550,000 ($27,500 times 20 stations). Based upon our review of the entire record, we believe that this upward adjustment to the statutory maximum is warranted.
25. In contrast, we have no evidence that the licensee of any of the non-Viacom-owned CBS Affiliate was involved in the selection, planning or approval of the apparently indecent material. Moreover, we find that the licensee of each such station could not have reasonably anticipated that the CBS Network production of a prestigious national event such as the Super Bowl would contain material that included the on-camera exposure of Ms. Jackson’s breast. Nevertheless, we urge each such licensee to take reasonable precautions in the future, such as employing such delay technology to independently prescreen the network feed to prevent the broadcast of indecent programming over its licensed station.
C. Conclusion
26. Over twenty-five years ago, in Pacifica,[69] the Supreme Court concluded that, notwithstanding the dictates of the First Amendment and the statutory prohibition imposed by section 326 of the Act on Commission censorship of broadcast content or interference with the right of free speech by means of radio communication, the Commission’s regulation of broadcast indecency is constitutional. In so holding, the Court observed that “the broadcast media have established a uniquely pervasive presence in the lives of all Americans. Patently offensive, indecent material presented over the airwaves confronts the citizen, not only in public, but also in the privacy of the home, where the individual’s right to be left alone plainly outweighs the First Amendment rights of an intruder.”[70] The Court also noted that “broadcasting is uniquely accessible to children, even those too young to read.” Citing the government’s interest in the “well-being of its youth” and in supporting “parents’ claim to authority in their own household,” the Court concluded that “the ease with which children may obtain access to broadcast material, coupled with concerns [as to the well-being of youth]. . .amply justify special treatment of indecent broadcasting.”[71]
27.
In subsequently upholding the Commission’s
broadcast
indecency definition against constitutional challenges, the United
States Court
of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit also stressed the
importance of
the Commission’s indecency enforcement to the significant societal
objective of
empowering parents to control what broadcast material to which their
children
would be exposed. Thus, the Court
concluded that “the Government’s own interest in the well-being of
minors
provides an independent justification for the regulation of broadcast
indecency, noting that “[a] democratic society rests, for its
continuance, upon
the healthy, well-rounded growth of young people into full maturity as
citizens.”[72] The Court cited
[P]arents who wish to expose their children to the most graphic depictions of sexual acts will have no difficulty in doing so through the use of subscription and pay-per-view cable channels, delayed-access viewing using VCR equipment, and the rental or purchase of readily available audio and video cassettes. Thus the goal of supporting “parents’ claim to authority in their own household to direct the rearing of their children,” is fully consistent with the Government’s own interest in shielding minors from being exposed to indecent speech by persons other than a parent.[74]
The Court concluded, “[i]t is fanciful to believe that the vast majority of parents who wish to shield their children from indecent material can effectively do so without meaningful restrictions on the airing of broadcast indecency.”[75]
28. Through the federally granted authorizations, issued for its owned stations and those of its other network affiliates, with its Super Bowl broadcast, CBS obtained access to the households of, by its own “preliminary”count, over 140 million people. Throughout the country, the game started in the late afternoon or early evening, at a time when parents and their children gathered in homes across the nation to enjoy the broadcast. [76]
29. As the ultimate controlling entity of numerous television licensees, Viacom betrayed its trust, not only to the FCC arising from its obligation to operate its stations in the public interest and in a manner consistent with the Commission’s rules, but to each parent who reasonably assumed that the national network broadcast of a major sporting event on a Sunday evening would not contain offensive sexual material unsuitable for children, the very class of viewers that the Commission’s indecency rule was designed to protect. With its delivery into those homes of the Jackson/Timberlake duet, Viacom wrenched away from parents the ability to control the exposure of their children to the type of objectionable sexual material in which that performance culminated.
IV. ORDERING CLAUSES
30. ACCORDINGLY, IT IS ORDERED, pursuant to section 503(b) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and section 1.80 of the Commission’s rules,[77] that Viacom Inc. is hereby NOTIFIED of its APPARENT LIABILITY FOR FORFEITURE in the amount of Five Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($550,000.00) for willfully violating 18 U.S.C. § 1464 and section 73.3999 of the Commission’s rules.
31. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, pursuant to section 1.80 of the Commission’s rules, that within thirty (30) days of the release of this NAL, Viacom Inc. each SHALL PAY the full amount of the proposed forfeiture or SHALL FILE a written statement seeking reduction or cancellation of the proposed forfeiture.
32.
Payment of the
forfeiture must be made by check or similar instrument, payable to the
order of
the Federal Communications Commission. Payment
by check or money order may be mailed to Forfeiture Collection Section,
Finance
Branch, Federal Communications Commission,
33.
The response, if any, must be mailed to
William H.
Davenport, Chief, Investigations and Hearings Division, Enforcement
Bureau,
Federal Communications Commission,
34. The Commission will not consider reducing or canceling a forfeiture in response to a claim of inability to pay unless the respondent submits: (1) federal tax returns for the most recent three-year period; (2) financial statements prepared according to generally accepted accounting practices (“GAAP”); or (3) some other reliable and objective documentation that accurately reflects the respondent’s current financial status. Any claim of inability to pay must specifically identify the basis for the claim by reference to the financial documentation submitted.
35.
Requests by a respondent for payment of the
full amount
of the forfeiture proposed against it in this NAL
under an installment plan should be sent to: Chief, Revenue and
Receivables Operations Group,
36. Under the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act of 2002, Pub L. No. 107-198, 116 Stat. 729 (June 28, 2002), the FCC is engaged in a two-year tracking process regarding the size of entities involved in forfeitures. If a respondent against which a forfeiture has been proposed herein qualifies as a small entity and if it wishes to be treated as a small entity for tracking purposes, it should so certify to us within thirty (30) days of this NAL, either in its response to the NAL or in a separate filing to be sent to the Investigations and Hearings Division. The certification should indicate whether the respondent, including its parent entity and its subsidiaries, meets one of the definitions set forth in the list provided by the FCC’s Office of Communications Business Opportunities (“OCBO”) set forth in Appendix C to this NAL. This information will be used for tracking purposes only. A respondent’s response or failure to respond to this question will have no effect on its rights and responsibilities pursuant to Section 503(b) of the Communications Act. If a respondent has questions regarding any of the information contained in Appendix C, it should contact OCBO at (202) 418-0990.
37. Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED, that the complaints filed against the licensees listed in Appendices A and B regarding their broadcasts on February 1, 2004, ARE GRANTED to the extent indicated herein, AND ARE OTHERWISE DENIED, and the complaint proceeding IS HEREBY TERMINATED.[79]
38.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, that copies of this NAL
shall be sent by Certified Mail Return Receipt Requested to Viacom
Inc.,
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
Marlene H. Dortch
Secretary
STATEMENT OF CHAIRMAN MICHAEL K. POWELL
Re: Complaints
Against Various Television
Licensees Concerning Their February 1, 2004, Broadcast of the Super
Bowl XXXVIII
Halftime Show
No
television event has ever received as many complaints from the American
public—over 540,000—as the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show produced by
CBS. As countless families gathered
around the television to watch one of our Nation’s most celebrated
events, they
were rudely greeted with a halftime show stunt more fitting of a
burlesque
show. The show, clearly intended to push
the limits of prime time television, ultimately violated federal law
that
restricts indecent programming to times when children are less likely
to be
watching. The U.S. Constitution is
generous in its protection of free expression, but it is not a license
to
thrill. “Anything goes,” is not an
acceptable mantra for those that elect to earn their profit using the
public’s
airwaves.
Indecency
determinations, however, must be made cautiously and with appropriate
restraint. There is always a substantial
danger that a regulatory authority buoyed by an outraged public will
overstep
and fail to heel to the commands of the First Amendment.
Our decision stays in bounds, but I am
troubled at the suggestion of some on the Commission that we should
reach
further and drop the hammer for the musical performances
themselves—divorced
from the infamous wardrobe malfunction—or for the commercials. I agree that some of the performances were
risqué and that commercials were frequently crass and
sophomoric, but they were
hardly indecent within the bounds of federal law. To
let loose governmental sanction on such a
thin premise is to stray from our limited role in enforcing the
indecency laws,
into the role of national nanny—arbiter of taste, values and propriety.
One critical way in
which we
exercise restraint is by analyzing the alleged indecent material in the
context
in which it is presented to the viewer or listener.
Broadcasters plead frequently that there
should be clear prescriptions to guide their choices.
While the desire for such comfort is understandable,
it is not possible to write a “red book” of dos and don’ts, nor is it
wise. There are simply too many
subtleties and too many contexts in which a given form of speech might
occur to
generalize a set of rules. The
individual facts and the context are critical to separating protected
speech
from unlawful speech.
Nonetheless, the
Commission should explain the
central elements of its decision in order to permit broadcasters to
make
reasonable assessments in their programming choices, based on analogous
precedents. Nudity, while not
necessarily indecent in itself, certainly should raise a red flag for a
broadcaster contemplating its airing during the hours in which the law
restricts indecency because children are likely in the audience. If a programmer opts to air nude content, he
places great weight in the hope that its purpose and context will keep
the
program from running afoul of the law.
In this case, the context of the half time show leads us to
conclude
that the breast-baring finale was intended (in the vernacular of the
indecency
law) “to pander, titillate and shock” those watching.
The song’s lyrics leave little doubt where
the show was going: “Hurry up cause
you’re taking too long. . . better have you naked by the end of this
song.” Well, he certainly did and judging
by the
complaints it had its intended shocking effect—and drew a penalty flag
in the
process.
Finally,
although individual licensees are indeed responsible for what is
broadcast over
the airwaves to their individual communities, fundamental fairness
dictates
that in this instance we not sanction those affiliates not owned by
Viacom. The Super Bowl is widely
regarded as a family event with as many as one in five children
watching this
year’s edition. Past half time productions
have generally reflected the family-friendly character of the event. While affiliates certainly are not
exempt
from their responsibility to guard against the airing of indecent
material, I
do not believe it is warranted under the circumstances before us, where
one
would not have reasonably anticipated the dramatic departure.
In contrast, Viacom
was not so
passively involved. Viacom is the parent
company of not only the CBS network, which aired the program, but also
of MTV,
which developed, rehearsed and produced the program.
The Viacom organization knew, or surely should
have known, what was to come. The fact
that Viacom promoted the half time show before it aired as one that
would be
shocking, gives credence to their culpability.
Unquestionably, Viacom consciously took the risk and, thus, now
bears
the responsibility.
Enforcing the
indecency laws is no
easy task, but it is one that falls to the FCC.
We must respond to public complaints and give meaning to the
indecency
prohibitions on the public airwaves.
Just as importantly, however, we must exercise great care not to
overstep our own Constitutional limits and smother the free expression
that is
the central tenet of our democracy.
Re: Complaints Against Various Television Licensees Concerning Their February 1, 2004, Broadcast of the Super Bowl XXXVIII Halftime Show
Few incidents have focused such widespread attention on the issue of indecency on the airwaves or garnered more complaints than last year’s Super Bowl. Millions of Americans watched what should have been an all-American evening for the entire family. Instead, we got something far different – an outrageous stunt and over 540,000 complaints from people all across the country.
I agree that the Super
Bowl halftime show violated
the indecency statute and am pleased that we are taking this step to
address a
deplorable incident. I remain troubled,
however, by certain aspects of the decision and therefore do not
approve it in
its entirety.
First, I am concerned
by the precedent we establish
in failing to assess a penalty against non-Viacom-owned affiliates that
aired
the Super Bowl. I recognize that the
affiliates likely did not expect that this national event would include
such
indecency. Yet, many stations air
programming that they do not produce themselves. The
Commission must be careful not to signal
that we would excuse indecent broadcasts merely because a station did
not
control the production of the content.
Some level of fine would have been appropriate for these
stations. The primary focus of our
indecency
enforcement under the statute must remain those who are licensed to use
the
public airwaves and we look to their vigilance to protect our children
from
indecent broadcasts.
Second, the Commission
received complaints about
other aspects of the halftime show and some of the commercials. Yet, the Order dismisses these complaints in
a footnote with hardly any analysis or explanation.
The FCC relies on viewers and listeners to
file complaints about indecent broadcasts and places a heavy burden on
complaining citizens. The citizens that
filed these complaints have a right to expect more of a Commission
follow-through on their complaints.
Finally, although the
Commission is
imposing the largest fine in history for indecency on television, let’s
not kid
ourselves that this fine will serve as a disincentive to multi-billion
dollar
conglomerates broadcasting indecency.
This fine needs to be seen in the context of a broadcast in
which each
30-second commercial cost more than $2 million.
In other words, this fine represents less than 10 seconds of ad
time on
the Super Bowl and will be easily absorbed as a cost of doing business. We must continue to demonstrate to citizens
that their complaints will receive prompt and vigorous attention and to
the
broadcast industry that Commission involvement in these issues is not a
passing
fancy.
STATEMENT
OF COMMISSIONER KEVIN J. MARTIN APPROVING IN PART, CONCURRING IN PART
Re:
Complaints Against Various Television
Licensees Concerning Their February 1, 2004, Broadcast of the Super
Bowl
XXXVIII Halftime Show, Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture
I write separately to express two concerns.
First, hundreds of thousands of viewers across the country filed complaints asking us to find various aspects of the Super Bowl halftime show indecent. Some even complained that the whole show was indecent. This Notice, however, analyzes only one segment of the show. We have a duty to the public to fully analyze all of the complaints that we receive.[80]
Second, as I have said before, we need to affirm local broadcasters’ ability – and responsibility – to reject inappropriate programming.[81] This obligation is critical to local broadcasters’ ability to keep coarser network programming off the air in their communities. The network affiliates asked us to clarify that this right over three years ago. We still have not acted, and thus I concur in the decision not to fine the affiliates in this instance.
STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER JONATHAN S.
ADELSTEIN, APPROVING IN PART AND DISSENTING
IN PART
Re: Complaints Against Various Television Licensees Concerning Their February 1, 2004, Broadcast of the Super Bowl XXXVIII Halftime Show
Based on a careful review of the
record, I find today’s remedy totally inadequate. After
all the bold talk, it’s a slap on the
wrist that can be paid with just 7½ seconds of Super Bowl ad
time. The $550,000 fine measures up to
only about a
dollar per complaint for the more than 542,000 complaints that flooded
into the
FCC after the broadcast.
The
Commission is required by Congress to enforce federal restrictions
against the
broadcast of indecent material, and I agree with the indecency finding
here. We were deluged with a record
number of complaints about the Super Bowl halftime show, and took the
unusual
step of launching an investigation. But
after a major announcement and months of investigation, today’s
enforcement
action goes out of its way to focus narrowly on the exposure of Janet
Jackson’s
breast on twenty CBS-owned stations.
Most troubling, this decision sets
a puzzling precedent by failing to hold all licensees responsible for
the
material broadcast over their stations.
Why announce such a thorough investigation if we just let some
of the
stations that broadcast this material completely off the hook? It is true that the CBS affiliates are as
much the innocent victims as the families who were stunned to see such
gratuitous nudity during a family viewing event. In
this case CBS affiliates – like the
general public – had no idea what was coming, but this is true for most
live
programming. This aspect of today’s
action shows the lack of a coherent long-term framework that should
form the
basis of all our indecency enforcement efforts.
Compliance with federal broadcast
decency restrictions is the responsibility of the station that chooses
to air
the programming, not the performers.
Less than a week before the Super Bowl, the Commission fined a
television station for a similar case of gratuitous brief on-camera
nudity. Since the Super Bowl outcry,
Viacom has acted responsibly by apologizing, by instituting measures
such as
time delays to keep indecency off the airwaves, and by cooperating
fully with
our investigation. Viacom should be
commended for these steps. Nevertheless,
subsequent actions cannot excuse the fact that indecent material was
broadcast
to 100 million viewers, including one in five American children.
While the Commission must always proceed cautiously in broadcast decency cases, this type of graphic and gratuitous nudity is not a close call. The millions of our nation’s children who were ambushed by the Super Bowl halftime show deserve better protection. A fine of 7½ seconds of ad time is scarcely any deterrent. The shockwaves are still being felt by this shameful episode. I fear that today we’re responding to a “wardrobe malfunction” with a regulatory malfunction.
[1] The respective licensees, station call signs and communities of license that are the subject of this NAL are listed in Appendices A and B.
[2] 47 U.S.C. § 503(b); 47 C.F.R. § 1.80.
[3] For purposes of this NAL, the “CBS Network Stations” include: (i) the television stations licensed to Viacom or to entities ultimately controlled by Viacom that are listed in Appendix A (the “Viacom Stations”); and (ii) the other television stations that are affiliates of the CBS Television Network listed in Appendix B (collectively, the “CBS Affiliates” and each, a “CBS Affiliate”). According to a recent FCC Form 323 ownership report for CBS Broadcasting, Inc., Viacom is the licensee or the parent of each licensee of the Viacom Stations listed in Appendix A. See FCC File No. BOA-20030701CWJ.
[4] See 18 U.S.C. § 1464; 47 C.F.R. § 73.3999; and 47 U.S.C. § 503(b).
[5] Appendix A also includes the FCC Registration Number (FRN) and facility identification number for each Viacom Station.
[6] To date, the Commission has received over 542,000 complaints concerning the broadcast.
[7]
Some of the complainants also object to other material in the Super
Bowl
broadcast, including the propriety of the costume worn by Kid Rock
during his
halftime performance, a poncho apparently made from a
[8] See Appendix A.
[9]
Letter from William D. Freedman, Deputy Chief, Investigations and
Hearings
Division, Enforcement Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, to
Howard
Jaeckel, Vice President and Associate General Counsel, CBS
Broadcasting, Inc.,
dated
[10]
Letter
from Robert Corn-Revere, Esquire to William D. Freedman, Deputy Chief,
Investigations and Hearings Division, Enforcement Bureau, Federal
Communications Commission, dated
[11]
Letter from Robert Corn-Revere, Esquire to William D. Freedman, Deputy
Chief,
Investigations and Hearings Division, Enforcement Bureau, Federal
Communications Commission, dated
[12]
Letter from William D. Freedman, Deputy Chief, Investigations and
Hearings
Division, Enforcement Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, to
Robert
Corn-Revere, Esquire, dated
[13]
Letter from James S. Blitz, Esquire to William D. Freedman, Deputy
Chief,
Investigations and Hearings Division, Enforcement Bureau, Federal
Communications Commission, dated
[14]
Letter from Susanna M. Lowy, Esquire to William D. Freedman, Deputy
Chief,
Investigations and Hearings Division, Enforcement Bureau, Federal
Communications Commission, dated
[15]
[16]
[17]
[18]
[19]
[20]
[21]
[22] CBS Response at 9, n. 22.
[23]
[24] See 47 U.S.C. § 326.
[25] 18 U.S.C. § 1464.
[26] Pub. L. No. 102-356, § 16(a), 106 Stat. 949, 954 (1992).
[27] 47 U.S.C. § 503(b); 47 C.F.R. § 1.80(f).
[28] See, e.g., SBC Communications, Inc., Apparent Liability for Forfeiture, Forfeiture Order, 17 FCC Rcd 7589, 7591 ¶ 4 (2002) (forfeiture paid).
[29]
[30]
FCC v.
[31] ACT I, 852 F.2d at 1344 (“Broadcast material that is indecent but not obscene is protected by the First Amendment; the FCC may regulate such material only with due respect for the high value our Constitution places on freedom and choice in what people may say and hear.”). See also id. at 1340 n. 14 (“the potentially chilling effect of the FCC’s generic definition of indecency will be tempered by the Commission’s restrained enforcement policy.”).
[32]
Infinity Broadcasting Corporation of
[33] Industry Guidance on the Commission’s Case Law Interpreting 18 U.S.C. §1464 and Enforcement Policies Regarding Broadcast Indecency, Policy Statement, 16 FCC Rcd 7999, 8002, ¶¶ 7-8 (2001) (“Indecency Policy Statement”) (emphasis in original).
[34] CBS Response at 5-7, Exhibits 5 and 6. CBS states that it “has no reason to believe that any affiliate did not broadcast such material.” Id.at 7. It also acknowledges that the halftime show aired at approximately 8:30 Eastern Standard Time.
[35] The “contemporary standards for the broadcast medium” criterion is that of an average broadcast listener and, with respect to Commission decisions, does not encompass any particular geographic area. See Indecency Policy Statement, 16 FCC Rcd at 8002, ¶ 8 and n. 15.
[36]
[37]
[38]
[39] Id., 16 FCC Rcd at 8009, ¶ 19 (citing Tempe Radio, Inc (KUPD-FM), Notice of Apparent Liability For Forfeiture, 12 FCC Rcd 21828 (Mass Media Bur. 1997) (forfeiture paid) (extremely graphic or explicit nature of references to sex with children outweighed the fleeting nature of the references); EZ New Orleans, Inc. (WEZB(FM)), Notice of Apparent Liability For Forfeiture, 12 FCC Rcd 4147 (Mass Media Bur. 1997) (forfeiture paid) (same)).
[40] Indecency Policy Statement, 16 FCC Rcd at 8010, ¶ 20 (“the manner and purpose of a presentation may well preclude an indecency determination even though other factors, such as explicitness, might weigh in favor of an indecency finding”).
[41] CBS Response at 5, n. 12.
[42] See Young Broadcasting of San Francisco, Inc. (KRON-TV), Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture, 19 FCC Rcd 1751 (2004) (response pending) (“Young Broadcasting”).
[43] CBS Response, Exhibit 9 at 35-39; Broadcast Videotape.
[44]
Compare WPBN/WTOM License Subsidiary, Inc.
(WPBN-TV
and WTOM-TV), Order on Review, 15 FCC Rcd 1838 (2000),
in which
the Commission found not to be patently offensive and accordingly not
indecent
adult frontal nudity depicted during a broadcast of the film
“Schindler’s List.”
In that decision, the Commission held
that the staff of the then-Mass Media Bureau had properly concluded
that a
broadcast of this film was not patently offensive as measured by
contemporary
community standards for the broadcast medium, based upon the full
context of
its presentation, including the subject matter of the film, the manner
of
presentation, and the warnings that accompanied the broadcast of the
film. The staff determined, and the
Commission
agreed, that in the particular broadcast of the film at issue, the
depiction of
adult frontal nudity was incidental to the broadcast material’s
rendering of a
historical view of World War II and wartime atrocities, which, viewed
in
context, was not presented in a pandering, titillating or vulgar
manner.
[45] See Young Broadcasting, 19 FCC Rcd 1751.
[46] See ACT III, 58 F.3d at 660-63.
[47] The Commission’s Forfeiture Policy
Statement and Amendment of Section 1.80 of the Rules to Incorporate the
Forfeiture Guidelines, Memorandum Opinion and Order, 12 FCC
[48] Forfeiture Policy Statement, 12 FCC Rcd at 17100-01, ¶ 27.
[49] CBS Response, Exhibit 4.
[50]
[51]
[52]
[53]
[54] See Complaints Against Various Broadcast Licensees Regarding Their Airing of the “Golden Globe Awards” Program, Memorandum Opinion and Order, 19 FCC Rcd 4975, 4979 ¶ 10 (2004) (“Golden Globe Awards Order”) (petitions for reconsideration pending) (because licensees were on notice that an award presenter or recipient might use offensive language during a live program, they should have taken appropriate steps to ensure that such language would not be broadcast); CBS Radio License, Inc. (WLLD(FM)), Notice of Apparent Liability for Monetary Forfeiture, 15 FCC Rcd 23881, 23883, ¶ 8 (Enf. Bur. 2000) (given licensee’s awareness of the actual language used in performers’ recordings, it should have taken precautions to avoid airing material meeting the indecency definition during a live, unscripted broadcast) (subsequent history omitted); Regent Licensee of Flagstaff, Inc., (KZGL(FM)), Notice of Apparent Liability for Monetary Forfeiture, 15 FCC Rcd 17286, 17288, ¶ 9 (Enf. Bur. 2000) (forfeiture paid).
Here,
the prior
conduct of Ms. Jackson and Mr. Timberlake in their performances and
efforts to
promote their recordings should have given CBS cause for caution
regarding
their joint appearance on the live, nationally televised Super Bowl
broadcast. Mr. Timberlake earned
considerable notoriety with his duet with Kylie Minogue on the Brit
Awards
program, which was nationally televised in
[55] Thus, according to CBS:
the planning and preparation for the Super Bowl halftime show telecast were directed toward ensuring that the program met the expectations of CBS and the NFL and conformed to broadcast standards. Measures employed included careful selection of proven, experienced talent, careful advance review of the script for the halftime show, and active involvement of the CBS Broadcast Standards Department to monitor the broadcast itself. Each aspect of the halftime show was scripted in advance and a script of the halftime show was reviewed by the CBS Program Practices Department. In addition, employees of CBS and MTV attended two full run-throughs of the halftime show on Thursday, January 29 to review the production. The run-throughs were videotaped, reviewed by representatives of CBS and the NFL. MTV producers then used the tape to individually review the rehearsal performances with the talent to instruct them on changes to be made in the actual performance on Super Bowl Sunday. Based on these procedures, certain changes were made to the show. For example, the costume worn by one of the dancers during the run-throughs was considered to be too revealing, and she was instructed to change it before the final show. There was also concern about some of the language, and changes were suggested.
CBS Response at 9-10; see also Written Testimony of Mel Karmazin, then-President and Chief Operating Officer, Viacom, Before the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, dated February 11, 2004, at 2-3 (“MTV’s preparations for this year’s half-time event included a full review, in tandem with CBS, of the script and lyrics and attendance at all rehearsals throughout the week before the Super Bowl so as to conform to broadcast standards.”).
[56]
CBS Response at 9. The
language of the performers in the segment
is also fully reflected in these pre-broadcast materials and the final
script,
each page of which is marked “
[57]
CBS advises in its Response, “Other
suggested changes involved commercial issues that are not relevant to
this
inquiry.”
[58] See Broadcast Videotape.
[59] CBS Response, Appendix D, Tab 1 at 2658-60.
[60]
[61]
[62]
[63]
At the time of this report, MTV thought that the “shock” was going to be the as-yet-unannounced appearance of Justin Timberlake as part of Janet’s performance. Janet Jackson’s subsequent performance was not what had been rehearsed, discussed or agreed to with MTV. To read Janet’s statement and apology, see “Janet Apologizes, Says Super Bowl Stunt Went Too Far.” To see MTV’s statement, see “Janet, Justin, MTV apologize for MTV Super Bowl Flash.”
CBS Response, Appendix D, Tab 1 at 2659.
[64] Indeed, at the start of the halftime segment, MTV included an on-screen credit for Mr. Timberlake, hardly a disclosure that would be made ten minutes before his appearance, had his participation in the program been the “shocking moments” that it had publicized for days on its Internet site. See Broadcast Videotape.
[65]
According to A.C. Nielsen Media Research, an average of 89.6 million
people
watched the Super Bowl broadcast, with an audience of 98.6 million
during the
fourth quarter and 143.6 million tuning in for at least some part of
the game. Super Bowl Ratings Up Slightly Over 2003,
SI.COM,
[66]
“Based on preliminary stats,” an estimated one in five children between
the
ages of 2 to 11 years watched the halftime show. Lisa
de Moraes, The TV Column, WASHINGTON POST,
[67] Infinity Broadcasting Operations, Inc. (WNEW(FM)), Notice of Apparent Liability for Monetary Forfeiture, 18 FCC Rcd 19954, 19962 ¶14 (2003) (response pending) (fact that broadcast contest encouraging sexual activity was well-planned and extensively promoted, with the involvement of a large number of station and programming employees and managers, led to the conclusion that the material was aired to pander and titillate).
[68] See, e.g., Infinity Broadcasting Operations, Inc. (WKRK-FM), Notice of Apparent Liability for Monetary Forfeiture, FCC 04-49 (rel. March 18, 2004) (response pending); Infinity Broadcasting Operations, Inc.(WKRK-FM), Notice of Apparent Liability for Monetary Forfeiture, 18 FCC Rcd 6915 (2003) (response pending); Infinity Broadcasting Corporation of Los Angeles (KROQ-FM), Memorandum Opinion and Order, 17 FCC Rcd 9892 (2002); Infinity Broadcasting Operations, Inc.(WNEW(FM)), Notice of Apparent Liability for Monetary Forfeiture, 17 FCC Rcd 10665 (Enf. Bur. 2002) (response pending).
[69]
[70]
[71]
[72] ACT III, 58 F.3d at 663.
[73]
Id., citing Pacifica, 438
[74]
[75]
[76]
CBS Television Press Release, CBS Sports
Coverage of Super Bowl XXXVIII Watched by 140 Million Viewers (
[77] 47 C.F.R. § 1.80.
[78] See 47 C.F.R. § 1.1914.
[79] Consistent with section 503(b) of the Act and Commission practice, for the purposes of the forfeiture proceeding initiated by this NAL, Viacom Inc. shall be the only party to this proceeding.
[80] Note 6 of the Notice acknowledges that “[s]ome of the complainants also object to other material in the Super Bowl broadcast,” but then concludes in two sentences that examples of such material were not indecent.
[81] See Written Statement of Commissioner Kevin J. Martin, Before the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation at 4 (February 2004), http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-243865A2.doc. See also Petition for Inquiry into Network Practices, filed by Network Affiliated Stations Alliance (March 2001); Motion for Declaratory Ruling, filed by Network Affiliated Stations Alliance (June 2001).