M.I.A. Could Face Large Fine For Super Bowl Gesture

By now I’m sure you’ve heard about singer M.I.A. flicking off the camera during the Super Bowl halftime show that Madonna headlined. This time, unlike with the Janet Jackson/Justin Timberlake “wardrobe malfunction,” M.I.A. herself could be paying the fine if the FCC decides one should be levied. TMZ reports:

Our sources say … the NFL has indemnified NBC … because the NFL is responsible for the halftime content.  

But the NFL was smart, given the history of performers who wanted to do something shocking to get attention during the biggest TV event of the year. So we’re told … M.I.A. signed a contract with the NFL for the halftime performance, and in that contract M.I.A. agreed to indemnify the NFL for any money it might be forced to pay if the FCC comes down on the Peacock Network.

CBS, if you recall, was hit with a $500,000 indecency fine for the “wardrobe malfunction.” OUCH. Personally, I don’t get it. I don’t think it’s worth a $500,000 fine, but was the obscene gesture in any way necessary?