chapter 4 key terms

The First Amendment

The amendment to the U.S. Constitution that protects freedom of speech and press.

content ratings and warnings

Systems used to inform audiences about the appropriateness of media content.

Federal Communication Commission

The U.S. government agency responsible for regulating interstate and international communications.

regulation of ownership and content

Laws and policies that govern who can own media outlets and what content they can produce.

public interest

The welfare or well-being of the general public, often considered in media regulation.

national interest

The interests of a nation as a whole, often used in discussions of media policy.

1996 Telecommunication Act

A significant piece of legislation that deregulated the telecommunications industry in the U.S.

prior restraint

The legal doctrine that prevents the government from prohibiting speech or publication before it occurs.

scarcity rationale

The argument that limited resources necessitate regulation of media ownership and content.

instrumental and constitutive rationale

Theories that describe the reasons for protecting free expression, focusing on practical value and essential nature.

responsible moral agents

Individuals or entities that are accountable for their actions and the consequences they produce.