Broadcast and Internet Indecency : Defining Free Speech

This book explores broadcast and Internet indecency from social and legal perspectives, using current cases and examples. Case law is used as a starting point from which to explore the social and legal boundaries of speech. Lipschultz argues that broadcast and Internet indecency reflect the outer boundaries of acceptable speech, and "understanding the limits of free speech in a free society allows us to theorize about the nature of communication." With indecency in the news every week, this volume is likely to get much critical and popular attention in the media discipline.

Table of Contents Broadcast & Internet Indecency: Defining Free Speech Chapter I. Introduction to Broadcast and Internet Indecency The Engaging Questions Stern Helps Define the Issues Social and Legal Issues Miller v. California Broadcasting, Cable and the Internet Safe Harbor Issues To Regulate or Not Indecency and Obscenity Chapter Summary Review Questions Chapter II. History of American Broadcasting Historical Context of Broadcast Regulation Ship-to-Shore Communications and Interference Chaos NBC Red Lion Public Interest, Convenience and Necessity Newton Minnow Calls Television in 1961 a Vast Wasteland The Highpoint of Regulation Deregulation, FCC Policy Statements and Congressional Responses Data and Processes Parental Control or Government Control TV Watch Study Finds Opposition to Current FCC Regulation Chapter Summary Review Questions Chapter III. Theory and Research in Broadcast and Internet Indecency Normative First Amendment Theories Douglas' Near-absolutist View Strict Scrutiny Theories of FCC and FTC Regulation Legal Analyses Carlin Monologue as Transcribed by Pacifica Court Social and Psychological Research Social Theory and Computer-Mediated Communication Chapter Summary Review Questions Chapter IV. Adult Entertainment The Pornography Business Girls Gone Wild Video Producer Guilt of Exploiting Children Media Law on Pornography Zoning and the Law Pay Cable Channels Satellite Radio and Television X-rated Moviews Chapter Summary Review Questions Chapter V. The Legacy of Pacifica and the Action for Children's Television Cases A Single Complaint Political Implications of the Indecency Ban FCC Order and the Diaz Statement Dial-a-Porn: Sabe Communications Decision and Reasoning ACT I ACT II ACT III Interpretations of the Opinion Political Generalizations Developments Political Implications Politics of Broadcast Regulation Chapter Summary Review Questions Chapter VI. Cable Television, New Technologies and New Definitions First Amendment Rights The First Amendment and Cyberspace Non-broadcast Video Options Appendix to the Opinion of the Court Satellite Issues Digital Television The Internet Indecency, Obscenity and the New Media World Chapter Summary Review Questions Chapter VII. New Media Issues Cultural Concerns about Indecency Computer-Mediated Communication Mancow Thrives in Post-indecency Complaint Career Other Internet Issues: YouTube Fox Shows F-word During Playoff Game Libel, Privacy and Copyright Chapter Summary Review Questions Chapter VIII. The Fight Over Indecent Content Indecent Content and the FCC The Special Case of the Super Bowl Explicit Podcasting Chapter Summary Review Questions Chapter IX. Political and Religious Issues The Politics of Regulation Religious Concerns Religion, Washington and Indecency Congressman Fred Upton Seeks to Have Broadcasters Think Twice NBC Show Las Vegas Draws AFA Complaints Impact of a Crackdown A Market for Religion Faith in a Box Study Chapter Summary Review Questions Chapter X. Trends: Fines, Enforcement, Laws and Regulation FCC Tells the Public About Indecency Regulation Regulation of Obscenity, Indecency and Profanity Frequently Asked Questions How to File a Complaint FCC Lawyer Challenged by Second Circuit Court of Appeals Panel Raising the Broadcast Fines Internet Freedoms SNL Censored Skit Plays on YouTube Projections Implications for Defining Free Expression Chapter Summary Review Questions References Appendix A Appendix B Appendix C Appendix D Appendix E Appendix F Author Index Subj