The two parties in the case were the Alliance for Community Media versus Federal Communications Commission. The federal government attempted to use cable operators as 'cover' in order to censor speech protected by the First Amendment. The government should not be permitted to do that without using the least restrictive means. This case had a huge effect on both the content of TV programming, freedom of expression, and the right of privacy on any electronic medium. If the decision had gone the other way it would be the government deciding what programs would air over the cable network.
Politicians tend to blame the media on undesirable social events.
Their goals and aims may, inevitably, be different from most parents. Because of this a censorship on TV programs would inhibit the freedom of the parents to decide what their children should or should not watch. A recent Telecommunications Act in the U.S. has deregulated the media and weakened the power of the FTC and the government to regulate the airways. Because of this more and more regulation is happening at home with the parents being the main enforcers. This is accomplished by using the methods described above, or by the V-Chip.