The missing persons drama Without A Trace stars Anthony LaPaglia

The Federal Communications Commission proposed a $3.6m (�2.1m) penalty to be shared among stations affliated to CBS.

They screened an edition of the series based on a possible rape, which showed teenagers involved in sexual activity.

The FCC said the "numerous graphic, sexual images" were "impermissible" under its rules.

The regulator has cleared a backlog of more than 300,000 complaints for programmes transmitted between 2002 and 2005.

Swear words

It ruled that the Fox Television Network violated decency standards during the Billboard Music Awards in 2002 and 2003.

On the first occasion, singer Cher used an expletive which the FCC described as "vulgar".

CBS was fined $550,000 for Janet Jackson's "wardrobe malfunction"

The following year, actress Nicole Ritchie used two swear words which it said were "among the most offensive words in the English language".

It imposed no fine, saying these were "isolated" occurrences.

Appeal rejected

An appeal by CBS against a fine of $550,000 (�315,000) for Janet Jackson's infamous "wardrobe malfunction" at the Super Bowl in 2004 was also rejected in this round of adjudications.

The singer had exposed her right breast during a dance routine with Justin Timberlake.

Congress has been considering increasing the amount that broadcasters can be fined for screening unsuitable material to as much as $500,000 (�286,000) a time.

Currently, the maximum fine that can be imposed on an individual television station is $32,500 (�18,600) per breach.