DOJ takes Fox to court over FCC fines

Following Fox Broadcasting Co.’s announcement at the end of last month that it would not comply with FCC fines, the Justice Department has sued the company to collect the $56,000 indecency fee.

Four of the stations have already paid portions of the original $91,000 fine, stemming from Fox’s 2003 airing of the reality show Married by America, which featured pixilated nudity. This suit against eight stations is unusual because indecency fines are normally settled within the agency.  

Fox spokesman Scott Grogin released a statement Friday evening, saying: “We look forward to the opportunity to present the full factual and legal arguments in the ‘Married by America’ case to an impartial and open court of law.”