Thursday, June 21, 2012

Supreme Court Rules On FCC VS Fox; Profanity Case

The United States Supreme Court has just ruled in the "profanity" case -- FCC VS Fox.
The Court has vacated the decision of the Second Circuit in this case. The case is remanded.
The Court's opinion does not address the constitutionality of the FCC indecency policy and leaves the Commission free to modify its policy in light of the public interest.
By some interpretations, the Supreme Court seems to have taken a "hands off" approach for now  and also leaves the courts free to review the current policy or any future changes. But the media are largely interpreting this as "win" for free speech and a put down of the FCC's profanity rules inasmuch as the Court seems to have ruled in favor of Fox.
This was a unanimous decision though Justice Sotomayor recused herself from this one.

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