Brief Fact Summary. Federal legislation requires cable television companies to devote a portion of their channels to local programming.
Synopsis of Rule of Law. It is unconstitutional for the government to place on burdens on speech because of its content. Laws that distinguish between types of speech based on the ideas or views expressed are content-based and subject to strict scrutiny.
The concept that government may restrict the speech of some elements of our society in order to enhance the relative voice of others is wholly foreign to the First Amendment.
View Full Point of LawIssue. Is this ‘must-carry’ mandate a violation of the freedom of the speech or press?
Held. No. This law does not impose burdens or confer benefits based on the content of the speech. The only burden is associated with the number of channels a cable company can offer. Any government regulation that limits speech because of its content is subject to the “most exacting scrutiny while those that are unrelated to content are subject to an intermediate level of scrutiny.”
Dissent. The interest in diversity of programming is not content-neutral. The intent of the regulation is to continue to provide local access to news and community information. Although this goal is not harmful it still does not excuse the need for strict scrutiny.
Concurrence. Content-neutral regulations are not subject to strict scrutiny.
Discussion. The majority justifies its decision by weighing the impact of forcing the cable systems to carry local stations against the purpose of the requirement. The regulation does not force an opinion on to the viewing public or limit access to certain views. Therefore, it is content-neutral and constitutional.