The Parents Television Council understands Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco's use of the f-word after Sunday's big win, but says CBS should have taken precautions to ensure that wouldn't happen.
Following Sunday's Baltimore Ravens 34-31 victory over the San Francisco 49ers, quarterback Flacco was caught via a boom microphone telling a teammate, "This is f---ing awesome" -- which aired on CBS.
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"No one should be surprised that a jubilant quarterback might use profane language while celebrating a career-defining win, but that is precisely the reason why CBS should have taken precautions," PTC president Tim Winter said in a statement Monday. "Joe Flacco's use of the f-word, while understandable, does not absolve CBS of its legal obligation to prevent profane language from being broadcast -- especially during something as uniquely pervasive as the Super Bowl. The instance was aired live across the country, and before the FCC's designated "Safe Harbor' time everywhere but along the East Coast."
The conservative watchdog group, which in the past has taken issue with the violence on The Walking Dead, Glee's sex episode, Howard Stern and other programs including Apartment 23 and The New Normal, cited the controversial Janet Jackson "wardrobe malfunction" during the 2004 Super Bowl in blasting CBS on Monday.
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"Now nine years after the infamous Janet Jackson incident, the broadcast networks continue to have 'malfunctions' during the most-watched television event of the year, and enough is enough," Winter said. "After more than four years of inaction on broadcast decency enforcement, the FCC must step up to its legal obligation to enforce the law, or families will continue to be blindsided."
In 2004, during a halftime performance with Justin Timberlake, Jackson's breast was seen briefly by an estimated 90 million viewers. The FCC's fine of $550,000 to CBS was eventually overturned by the Supreme Court.
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Email: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com; Twitter: @Snoodit
