Clear Channel settles for record $1.75M

0 Comments | USA TODAY, June, 2004 | by Michael McCarthy and Paul Davidson

Viacom could be a target of the Federal Communications Commission's indecency crackdown, following the record $1.75 million settlement Wednesday between radio giant Clear Channel Communications and the FCC.

The $27 billion parent of CBS, MTV and Infinity Broadcasting is under investigation for several incidents that could lead to indecency fines, according to FCC officials and industry executives.

The federal agency is probing Infinity for airing the same broadcast by shock jock Howard Stern, an Infinity employee, that brought fines for Clear Channel stations that carried his syndicated morning show.

Viacom's CBS network is also on the hot seat for airing the Janet Jackson performance in the Super Bowl's MTV-produced halftime show. Her breast-baring set off...