Ruling on dirty words, and more
The Supreme Court has ruled that broadcasters who air profanity on live programs may be punished even if the vulgarities are brief and unscripted.
Ruling on dirty words
Broadcasters who air profanity on live programs may be punished even if the vulgarities are brief and unscripted, the Supreme Court ruled. The 5–4 ruling came in a case pitting the FCC against Fox Broadcasting, which argued that such “fleeting obscenities” had no sexual implications. But Justice Antonin Scalia wrote in the majority opinion that “even when used as an expletive, the F-word’s power to insult and offend derives from its sexual meaning.”
Cyber warfare
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Government policies on cyber warfare are poorly thought-out and lack adequate oversight, the National Research Council said in a report. The nation’s computer networks have been repeatedly hacked by foreign intruders, the council said, but the U.S. does not have well-formed policies to defend against such breaches or to mount its own attacks.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Gavin Newsom mulls California redistricting to counter Texas gerrymandering
TALKING POINTS A controversial plan has become a major flashpoint among Democrats struggling for traction in the Trump era
-
6 perfect gifts for travel lovers
The Week Recommends The best trip is the one that lives on and on
-
How can you get the maximum Social Security retirement benefit?
the explainer These steps can help boost the Social Security amount you receive