Community standards

Definition

Community standards refer to the collective values, beliefs, and norms that define acceptable behavior and content within a specific community or society. These standards are crucial in determining what is considered indecent or obscene, guiding regulatory bodies and media platforms in their content policies and practices.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Community standards can vary significantly between different regions and cultures, affecting what is deemed acceptable or offensive content.
2. Regulatory agencies like the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) often rely on community standards when evaluating complaints about indecent or obscene broadcasts.
3. The Miller Test is used by courts to determine whether material is obscene, taking into account contemporary community standards.
4. Community standards are dynamic and can evolve over time, reflecting changes in societal attitudes towards issues like sexuality, violence, and language.
5. Media platforms and broadcasters often create their own guidelines based on perceived community standards to avoid legal issues and cater to audience expectations.

Review Questions

• How do community standards influence the determination of indecency and obscenity in broadcasting?
  • Community standards play a vital role in shaping what is considered indecent or obscene in broadcasting. Regulatory bodies like the FCC rely on these standards when assessing complaints regarding content. By reflecting the values of a specific community, these standards help determine whether certain materials can be aired without violating laws surrounding indecency and obscenity.
• Discuss the significance of the Miller Test in relation to community standards and its impact on legal judgments regarding obscenity.
  • The Miller Test is crucial for evaluating obscenity within the context of community standards. Established by the Supreme Court in 1973, this test assesses whether material appeals to prurient interests, depicts sexual conduct in a patently offensive way, and lacks serious value. The reliance on local community standards in this test means that what is deemed obscene can vary widely depending on cultural norms, influencing legal outcomes for cases involving explicit content.
• Evaluate how shifting community standards might affect future media regulations and content creation practices.
  • As societal attitudes evolve, so too will community standards, potentially leading to significant changes in media regulations and content creation. For instance, increased acceptance of diverse sexual orientations may prompt broadcasters to reconsider what constitutes indecent material. This could result in more inclusive programming and less restrictive censorship policies. Additionally, as technology continues to advance, the ability for communities to define their own standards through online platforms will further influence what types of content are produced and distributed.

Related terms

Indecency: Indecency involves content that may be offensive but is not considered obscene, often protected by the First Amendment as long as it does not appear during certain hours on public broadcasts.

Obscenity: Obscenity refers to content that is deemed offensive and lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value, making it unprotected by the First Amendment.

Censorship: Censorship is the suppression or prohibition of speech, public communication, or other information deemed objectionable by authorities or community standards.