Pacifica Foundation v. FCC

Pacifica Foundation v. FCC is a 1978 Supreme Court case that addressed whether the government can regulate profanity on public radio and television. The FCC wanted to restrict a comedian’s monologue containing offensive language, arguing it could be harmful, especially to children. The Court upheld the FCC's authority to regulate broadcasts to promote decency, recognizing that such media are accessible to broad audiences and can influence young viewers. However, the ruling also emphasized the importance of balancing regulation with free speech rights, establishing that restrictions must serve a substantial government interest and be narrowly tailored.