More than four years after Janet Jackson’s "wardrobe malfunction" at Super Bowl XXXVIII (it was actually a great game, but only Patriots fans remember that part), a federal court has dismissed a fine against CBS. So much for the FCC’s "take" on the incident, which even surveys at the time indicated was not a big deal.
But its far-reaching impact on media "indecency" continues to be felt by broadcast television and radio operators. For some reason, a TV event ended up having more impact on radio, punctuated by more fines, more legal scrutiny, and more understandable paranoia among talent. That year, our Summit featured a great panel that included John King (a Washington lawyer), Harry Shearer, Rick Cummings, Lex & Terry, and MSNBC‘s Lawrence O’Donnell discussing the implications of indecency in radio and TV. It was a difficult issue then, and it’s still a problem today.
And what about the fallout for the radio industry? Perhaps this incident was "the straw" that finally convinced Howard Stern to journey over to the safer waters in satellite radio. And radio’s talent, value, and overall image were sullied by an incident that was overblown by the FCC and the media in the first place.
And four years later, it’s one big "never mind."
Jacobs Media has consistently walked the walk in the digital space, providing insights and guidance through its well-read national Techsurveys.
In 2008, jacapps was launched - a mobile apps company that has designed and built more than 1,300 apps for both the Apple and Android platforms. In 2013, the DASH Conference was created - a mashup of radio and automotive, designed to foster better understanding of the "connected car" and its impact.
Along with providing the creative and intellectual direction for the company, Fred consults many of Jacobs Media's commercial and public radio clients, in addition to media brands looking to thrive in the rapidly changing tech environment.
Fred was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018.
- Baby, Please Don’t Go - November 22, 2024
- Why Radio Needs To Stop Chasing The Puck - November 21, 2024
- Great Radio – In The Niche Of Time? - November 20, 2024
Leave a Reply