October Term 2011 · Docket 10-1293
Can the FCC fine broadcasters for fleeting nudity?
The FCC seeks to fine Fox for brief nudity. Fox argues the rule is vague and unfair.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
General Verrilli argued broadcasters accept public obligations with licenses.
Mr. Phillips argued indecency is not the core regulatory deal.
Mr. Waxman argued the government must steer clear of prohibited zones.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 28-34 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 28-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 44-24 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 44-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 34-44 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 34-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 48-12 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 48-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 32-34 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 32-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 42-48 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 42-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 6-8 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 6-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 28-44 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 28-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-1 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 8-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 28-12 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 28-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 4-20 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 4-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 48-1 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 48-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 48-4 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 48-4
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 50-26 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 50-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 30-26 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 30-26
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The FCC wants to enforce fines for fleeting nudity. Fox wants the fines struck down as vague.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 28-44 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 28-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-1 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 28-12 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 28-12
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on January 10, 2012.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 8-18
What each side wants
The FCC wants to keep the fines for fleeting nudity.
Fox wants the court to strike down the fines.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 28-44 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 28-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-1 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 28-12 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 28-12
What each side says
The FCC argues broadcasters accept public obligations with licenses.
Fox argues the indecency rule is too vague to enforce.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 28-44 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 28-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-1 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 28-12 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 28-12
What the justices asked
Justice Ginsburg asked if excerpts from Hair could be televised.
Justice Kagan questioned why this specific condition is appropriate.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 28-34 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 28-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 44-24 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 44-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 34-44 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 34-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 48-12 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 48-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 32-34 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 32-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 42-48 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 42-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 6-8 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 6-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 4-20 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 4-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 48-1 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 48-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 48-4 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 48-4
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 50-26 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 50-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 30-26 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 30-26
Why it matters
Broadcasters face fines for brief nudity. Clear rules protect free speech and fair enforcement.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 28-44 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 28-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-1 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 28-12 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 28-12
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 28-34 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 28-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 44-24 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 44-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 34-44 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 34-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 48-12 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 48-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 32-34 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 32-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 42-48 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 42-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 6-8 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 6-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 8-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 4-20 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 4-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 48-1 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 48-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 48-4 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 48-4
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 50-26 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 50-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 30-26 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 30-26
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 28-44 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 28-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-1 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 28-12 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 28-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 28-44 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 28-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-1 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 39, lines 28-12 — Transcript, file page 39, lines 28-12
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.