Broadcasting has less First Amendment protection than other forms of communication because of its pervasive nature. The Federal Communications Commission has broad authority to determine what constitutes indecency in different contexts. Decided July 3, 1978 (argued 1978). Opinion of the Court: Stevens (Parts I, II, III, and IV-C) Dissenting: Brennan, Stewart. Applied: the First Amendment → go there Topic: Freedom of speech and of the press. Federal Communications Commission v. Pacifica Foundation, 438 U.S. 726 (1978), is a landmark decision of the United States Supreme Court that upheld the ability of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to regulate indecent content sent over the broadcast airwaves. Wiki link