FCC fines should hit
performers, not CBS
By Amanda Leduc
se news editor

I was not offended by the unexpected display of Janet Jackson’s breast by Justin Timberlake during the Super Bowl half-time show. But it was not an appropriate display for a nationally broadcast show during prime-time viewing.
The FCC has broadcast regulations for a reason.
This country has a wide range of values and beliefs. What one family may deem appropriate viewing for their children may shock and appall another family.
Currently, the Super Bowl is not appropriate for family viewing.
Football is a violent game, with scantily clad women on the sidelines shaking various parts of the body to entice the crowd to cheer its favorite team.
I cannot leave out this year’s third-quarter streaker, who dashed around the field and sidelines.
A child who is not old enough to understand the sexual undertones of a good portion of American marketing should not watch such an event.
Many families have no problem including their children in the Super Bowl festivities. These are the same people who are livid because of Jackson’s and Timberlake’s actions.
As ridiculous as that seems to me, this is America, and they have the right to be upset and call for the government and FCC to do something.
Whether Jackson and Timberlake intended for this to boost their popularity or not, the incident has become nothing more than an ill-planned publicity stunt.
Whether Jackson and Timberlake suffer or benefit from the media coverage, it was their action that offended thousands of Americans, so the repercussions should fall on them.
CBS may be fined $27,500 by the FCC for Jackson’s brief moment of indecent exposure. That fine may be applied to each CBS station broadcasting the game nationally, so the fine could grow into the millions.
I do not believe that CBS would make itself part of such a stunt at the risk of its own wallet.
I do not stereotype, but it is hard for me to believe the corporate executives at CBS would run such a risk to boost their ratings or popularity.
If the FCC is going to fine someone, it should be the two who performed: Jackson and Timberlake.