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 NEWS  Federal  Communications  Commission  445  12  th  Street,  S.  W.  Washington,  D.  C.  20554  This  is  an  unofficial  announcement  of  Commission  action.  Release  of  the  full  text  of  a  Commission  order  constitutes  official  action.  See  MCI  v.  FCC.  515  F  2d  385  (D.  C.  Circ  1974).  News  Media  Information  202  /  418-  0500  Internet:  http://  www.  fcc.  gov  TTY:  1-  888-  835-  5322 
 FOR  IMMEDIATE  RELEASE:  NEWS  MEDIA  CONTACT:  March  15,  2006  David  Fiske,  202-  418-  0513 
 Email:  David.  Fiske@  fcc.  gov 


 FCC  RELEASES  ORDERS  RESOLVING  NUMEROUS  BROADCAST  TELEVISION  INDECENCY  COMPLAINTS 
 Washington,  D.  C.  –  The  Federal  Communications  Commission  (FCC)  today  released  decisions  resolving  over  300,000  consumer  complaints  about  the  broadcast  of  indecent,  profane,  and/  or 
 obscene  television  programming.  In  these  decisions,  the  Commission  addresses  complaints  about  nearly  50  television  programs  broadcast  between  February  2002  and  March  2005.  The 
 decisions  respond  to  the  public’s  growing  concern  about  the  content  of  television  programming.  At  the  same  time,  they  provide  further  information  for  broadcasters  about  the  kinds  of  material 
 that  are  and  are  not  prohibited  under  the  FCC’s  indecency  and  profanity  standards. 
 In  the  decisions,  the  Commission  takes  enforcement  action  against  the  broadcast  of  a  wide  variety  of  television  programming.  The  FCC  upholds  its  earlier  decision  against  CBS  for  the 
 broadcast  of  indecent  material  during  the  February  1,  2004  Super  Bowl  XXXVIII  halftime  show.  The  Commission  rejects  CBS’  claim  that  the  pulling  off  a  portion  of  Janet  Jackson’s  bustier  to 
 reveal  her  breast  is  not  indecent.  The  Commission  also  holds  that  CBS  consciously  and  willfully  failed  to  take  actions  to  prevent  the  broadcast  of  the  material,  and  that  CBS  is  responsible  for  the 
 halftime  show. 
 The  Commission  also  finds  episodes  of  “Without  a  Trace”  and  “The  Surreal  Life  2,”  which  contained  numerous  graphic,  sexual  images,  to  be  impermissible  under  the  Commission’s 
 indecency  standard.  The  Omnibus  Order  also  finds  indecent  the  broadcast  of  a  movie  containing  a  graphic  rape  scene  and  a  talk  show  featuring  a  female  guest  who  appeared  in  an  open  front 
 dress.  Finally,  the  Commission  finds  indecent  and  profane  several  television  programs  containing  offensive  language.  Where  material  is  found  actionable,  the  Commission  sanctions  all 
 licensees  whose  stations  are  the  subject  of  viewer  complaints  filed  with  the  Commission. 
 Finally,  the  Commission  denies  complaints  regarding  numerous  other  television  programs.  Although  the  complained-  of  material  may  offend  many  people,  the  Commission  concludes  that 


 the  material  in  28  television  programs  involved  was  not  actionable. 
 Action  by  the  Commission,  February  21,  2006,  Notices  of  Apparent  Liability  and  Memorandum  Opinion  and  Order  (FCC  06-  17).  Chairman  Martin,  Commissioners  Copps  and  Tate; 
 Commissioner  Adelstein  concurring,  dissenting  in  part.  Separate  statements  issued  by  Chairman  Martin  and  Commissioners  Copps,  Adelstein,  and  Tate. 
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 Action  by  the  Commission,  February  21,  2006,  Notice  of  Apparent  Liability  (FCC  06-  18).  Chairman  Martin,  Commissioners  Copps  and  Tate;  Commissioner  Adelstein  concurring. 
 Separate  statements  issued  by  Chairman  Martin  and  Commissioners  Copps,  Adelstein,  and  Tate. 
 Action  by  the  Commission,  February  21,  2006,  Forfeiture  Order  (FCC  06-  19).  Chairman  Martin,  Commissioners  Copps  and  Tate;  Commissioner  Adelstein  concurring.  Separate  statements  issued 
 by  Chairman  Martin  and  Commissioners  Copps,  Adelstein,  and  Tate. 
 Press  contact:  David  Fiske  at  (202)  418-  0513 
 -FCC- 
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