Supreme court to look at profanity rules..
By ersmommy1
@ersmommy1 (12587)
United States
March 18, 2008 4:10pm CST
The Supreme Court will decide whether it is indecent when some foul-mouthed celebrity drops the "F-word" on live television, stepping into its first major broadcast indecency case in 30 years.
The high court said Monday it will hear arguments in a case over whether the government can ban "fleeting expletives," one-time uses of familiar but profane words.
The last time the court heard a broadcast indecency case - FCC v. Pacifica in 1978 - the Fox television network did not exist, nor did the Internet. Only a fraction of homes received cable television service and there were no direct broadcast satellite companies.
Do you think this will affect free speech?
1 person likes this
2 responses
@owatagoosiam (751)
• United States
20 Mar 08
I have to admit that there is a difference between free speech and vulgar speech. Free speech is about expressing ideas. Vulgar speech isn't quite the same thing. As long as one can still reasonably communicate their opinion and point of view, I think we can allow a little regulation of the airwaves.
@goinliveinfive (561)
• United States
18 Mar 08
People in the UK hear that word on TV all the time and no one freaks. They do have limits, I've noticed, seeing as sometimes it's censored and other times not but the bottom line is that it's a word. It's only as harmful as you make it out to be. If it's problematic for someone to hear it he or she should simply not watch live TV or pre-recorded shows that are known for their abrasive nature.
