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Powell puts FCC on Super Bowl indecency warpath

"I am outraged at what I saw during the halftime show of the Super Bowl. Like millions of Americans, my family and I gathered around the television for a celebration. Instead, that celebration was tainted by a classless, crass and deplorable stunt. Our nation's children, parents and citizens deserve better," said FCC Chairman Michael Powell following Sunday's live broadcast of Justin Timberlake exposing a breast of fellow performer Janet Jackson (2/2/04 RBR Daily Epaper #21). "I have instructed the Commission to open an immediate investigation into last night's broadcast. Our investigation will be thorough and swift," Powell declared.

Fellow Republican Commissioner Kathleen Abernathy also issued a statement. "I am shocked and dismayed about what occurred during the half-time show of the Super Bowl. Particularly during an event that families and children watch together, Americans should not have to tolerate such a gratuitous display of nudity. Broadcasters should have more respect for their viewers and exercise a greater degree of social responsibility than what was shown last night. I am pleased that this Commission is opening an immediate investigation into last night's broadcast. I hope that we can be responsive to the concerns raised by the American people by addressing this matter expeditiously."

Democratic Commissioner Michael Copps also weighed in. "Hundreds of Americans have already registered their displeasure at the incident on the Super Bowl halftime show. I'm not surprised. I'll bet there are millions like me who wonder why parents wanting to watch an all-American sports show with their children have to worry about what's coming on their screen next. I urge the Commission to address these complaints promptly. I will review the facts of this case, but I can say that the Commission's tepid action in this area has not accomplished anything to slow down Big Media's race to the bottom."