Sexy Telecast No Problem With FCC

By Louise A. Barile

03/26/2002 at 09:07 AM EST

The Federal Communications Commission has paved the way for more lingerie "fashion shows" on television by announcing that ABC's November broadcast of a Victoria's Secret fashion show did not violate federal indecency rules, reports Variety. The controversial sweeps week fashion show, which aired from 9 to 10 p.m. on a Thursday night, featured models wearing skimpy lingerie designs by Victoria's Secret. The FCC became involved after the regulating agency received scores of complaints from television viewers. On Monday, reports Variety, the federal agency released an e-mail clearing ABC of indecency accusations. "It is important to note that any consideration of government action against allegedly indecent programming must take account of the fact that such material is protected under the First Amendment," the FCC said in its March 21 letter to complainants, according to Variety. The Victoria's Secret fashion show didn't depict or describe "sexual or excretory activities or organs in a patently offensive manner as measured by contemporary community standards for the broadcast medium," the agency explained further. According to Variety, rankled viewers still have the option of refiling their complaint.