Document: 492 U.S. 115 109 S.Ct. 2829 106 L.Ed.2d 93 SABLE COMMUNICATIONS OF CALIFORNIA, INC., Appellantv.FEDERAL COMMISSION et al. FEDERAL COMMISSION, al., Appellants v. INC. Nos. 88-515, 88-525. Argued April 19, 1989. Decided June 23, Syllabus Section 223(b) of the Communications Act 1934, as amended, bans indecent well obscene interstate commercial telephone messages, commonly known "dial-a-porn." Under its predecessor provision—which sought to restrict minors' access dial-a-porn Federal Commission (FCC), after lengthy court proceedings, had promulgated regulations laying out means by which sponsors could screen underaged callers. Sable California, offers sexually oriented prerecorded messages callers both in and outside Los Angeles metropolitan area, brought suit District Court, claiming that § 223(b)'s obscenity indecency provisions were unconstitutional, chiefly under First Fourteenth Amendments, seeking an injunction enjoining FCC Justice Department from initiating any criminal investigation or prosecution, civil action, administrative proceeding statute a declaratory judgment. The denied Sable's request for preliminary against enforcement ban on rejecting argument was unconstitutional because it created national standard obscenity. However, issued with regard speech provision, holding provision overbroad not narrowly drawn achieve legitimate state interest protecting children exposure messages. Held: 1. does unconstitutionally prohibit transmission protection Amendment extend speech. In addition, contravene "contemporary community standards" requirement Miller 413 15, 2607, 37 419, since no more establishes "national standard" than do federal statutes prohibiting mailing materials broadcasting There is constitutional barrier communications are some communities local standards even though they others. Sable, has burden complying prohibition, free tailor selective basis, chooses serve. Pp. 124-126. 2. violates statute's denial adult such far exceeds necessary serve compelling preventing minors being exposed Pacifica Foundation, 438 726, 98 3026, 57 1073, emphatically narrow ruling giving power regulate radio broadcast, readily distinguishable these cases. Pacifica, did involve total material, relied "unique" attributes broadcasting, can intrude privacy home without prior warning content uniquely accessible children. contrast, dial-it medium requires listener take affirmative steps receive communications. Government's nothing less prevent gaining this Court should defer Congress' conclusions factual findings effect unpersuasive. evidence show would have evaded rules FCC, prolonged determined keep their reach. Moreover, deference legislative cannot limit judicial inquiry where rights at stake. Here, congressional record contains justify conclusion there constitutionally acceptable restrictive minors. 126-131. 692 F.Supp. 1208 (C.D.Cal.1988), affirmed. WHITE, J., delivered opinion unanimous respect Parts I, II, IV, Part III, REHNQUIST, C.J., BLACKMUN, O'CONNOR, SCALIA, KENNEDY, JJ., joined. filed concurring opinion, post, p. 131. BRENNAN, part dissenting part, MARSHALL STEVENS, joined, 133. Richard G. Taranto F.C.C., Laurence H. Tribe, Cambridge, Mass., Inc. WHITE Court. 1 issue before us constitutionality 1934. 47 U.S.C. (1982 ed., Supp. V). statute, amended 1988, imposes outright upheld prohibition purposes, but enjoined insofar applied We affirm respects. 2 * 1983, Communications, Inc., Angeles-based affiliate Carlin began offering messages1 (popularly "dial-a-porn") through Pacific Bell network. order provide arranged use special lines, designed handle large volumes calls simultaneously. Those who called message number charged fee. fee collected divided between phone company provider. Callers area reach long-distance toll call code. 3 injunctive relief recently 223(b). 1988 amendments imposed blanket action enjoin (FCC) statute. also judgment, challenging Amendments Constitution. 4 found concrete controversy existed met irreparable injury issuance Elrod Burns, 427 347, 373, 96 2673, 2689, 49 547 (1976). 1208, 1209 (C.D.Cal.1988). however, struck down "indecent speech" 223(b), result consistent 1073 (1978). "While government unquestionably in, e.g., purpose. Its flat-out contrary Amendment." F.Supp., 1209. Therefore, communication alleged be "indecent." 5 noted probable jurisdiction appeal (No. 88-515); we parties' cross-appeal 88-525). 488 1003, 780, 102 772 (1989).2 II 6 While services creature decade, medium, brief history, been subject much litigation object series attempts regulation.3 first involving 82 Stat. 112, 223, proscribed knowingly "permitting [one's] control" used make "any comment, request, suggestion proposal obscene, lewd, lascivious, filthy, indecent." concluded existing law cover dial-a-porn. re Application Review Complaint Filed Peter F. Cohalan, File No. E-83-14 (memorandum opinions orders adopted May 13, 1983). 7 reaction determination, Congress made effort explicitly address "dial-a-porn" when added subsection 1934 Act. amendment case, pertained directly relevant Act, Authorization Pub.L. 98-214, 8(b), 97 1470, crime facilities "obscene indecent" "for purposes person eighteen years age other person's consent." 223(b)(1)(A) criminalized required promulgate r gulations 223(b)(2). enactment provided defense prosecution defendant restricted adults only, accordance procedures established FCC. criminalize adults, whether indecent. 8 initially providers operating only hours 9 p.m. a.m. eastern time (time channeling) requiring payment credit card (screening) message. Restrictions Obscene Indecent Telephone Message Services, CFR 64.201 (1988). 749 F.2d 113 (1984) (Carlin I), Appeals Second Circuit set aside channeling remanded examine alternatives, concluding "both overinclusive underinclusive" "access certain hours, youths easily pick up private public during remaining hours." Id., 121. underlying legislation. 1985, new continued permit prosecution. Instead restrictions, based codes (user identification codes). Thus, if defendant, message, customer either authorization 50 Fed.Reg. 42699, 42705 (1985). each vendor develop code data base implementation scheme. (or card) receiving received mail provider reviewed application written ascertainment procedure applicant least 18 age. rejected "exchange blocking" block numbers customer's premises offices. 787 846 (C.A.2 1986) II), FCC's failure adequately consider blocking. Again, legislation addressed. 10 then third regulations, again blocking defenses defense: scrambling. 52 17760 (1987). system, scramble unintelligible descrambler, sale limited adults. On January 837 546 III), cert. denied, 924, 305, 324 (1988), held codes, along payments scrambled providers, supported evidence, properly arrived at, "feasible effective way serve" "compelling interest" minors, F.2d, 555; directed reopen proceedings technology became available. Appeals, reaching invalidated apply nonobscene 560, 561. 11 Thereafter, regardless took July 1, eliminated restricting dial-a-porn, making illegal children, explicit 100-297, 424.4 It version commenced action.5 III 12 constitutional. agree contrast communications, recordings. repeatedly See, Paris Adult Theatre I Slaton, 49, 69, 2628, 2641, 446 (1973). cases today require decide what rather determine empowered telephonic 13 facial challenge argues creates impermissible obscenity, places senders "double bind" them all tolerant community.6 14 read contravening 419 materials, 1461, see Hamling United States, 418 87, 94 2887, 41 590 (1974), 1464. States Reidel, 402 351, 91 1410, 28 813 (1971), said mails distribution classifiable those distributed willing stated Similarly, hold stricture 15 200-ft. Reels Film, 123, 2665, 500 (1973), standards, including formulation, As before, fact "distributors allegedly may subjected varying various districts into transmit render uniform obscenity." supra, U.S., 106, S.Ct., 2902. 16 Furthermore, so chooses, forced incur costs developing implementing system screening locale incoming calls, impediment enacting impose electing Whether hire operators source engages arrange out-of-area finds another providing compatible decision make. If audience comprised different ultimately bears IV 17 88-525, while Government sufficiently purpose thus violated Amendment. agree. Sexual expression protected irst Amendment; parties submit solely may, promote further articulated interest. recognized physical psychological well-being This extends shielding influence literature standards. Ginsberg New York, 390 629, 639-640, 88 1274, 1280-81, 20 195 (1968); York Ferber, 458 747, 756-757, 3348, 3354-55, 73 1113 (1982). interest, withstand scrutiny, "it must interests unnecessarily interfering freedoms. Hynes Mayor Oradell, 425 [610], 620 [96 1755, 1760, 48 243]; National Bank Boston Bellotti, 435 765, 786 [98 1407, 1421, 55 707] (1978)." Schaumburg Citizens Better Environment, 444 620, 637, 100 826, 836, 63 (1980). enough ends compelling; carefully tailored ends. 19 Butler Michigan, 352 380, 77 524, 412 (1957), reversed conviction offense available general potentially harmful insufficiently allowing Frankfurter "[s]urely burn house roast pig." 383, 525. our like Butler, presents "legislation reasonably evil deal." Ibid. attempting complete criminalization rely (1978), case considered broadcast obscene. holding, treatment justified. 21 cases, most obviously material. rule " 'intended place absolute type language, channel times day likely it.' 733, 3032, quoting 59 F.C.C.2d 892 750, n. 28, 3040, 28. 22 noting "uniquely pervasive," program content, too young read." 748-749, 3039-3040. here substantially Pacifica. displays, unsolicited mailings recipient meaningful opportunity avoid, communic tion. "captive audience" problem here; will generally unwilling listeners. context dial-in services, caller seeks pay communication, manifestly situation want Placing same turning taken surprise Unlike unexpected outburst one service invasive surprising prevents avoiding it. 23 careful "to emphasize narrowness [its] holding." 3040. Bolger Youngs Drug Products Corp., 463 60, 103 2875, 469 (1983), distinguish reiterate "the 'reduce population . fit children.' 73, 2883, 24 nevertheless argue justified find quite card, code, scrambling satisfactory solution keeping consideration, agreed represented effective" 555. 25 now insist enough—that enterprising youngsters evade gain shielded. effect, nor never tested over time. respect, assert amending expressed view protect short enacted. claim give 26 To extent suggest about law, answer ignore it, task end particularly true Legislature product violate "Deference finding stake." Landmark Virginia, 829, 843, 1535, 1543, 56 parties, urge resolving issue; Walters Association Radiation Survivors, 473 331, 12, 105 3180, 3194, 87 220 (1985), Rostker Goldberg, 453 57, 72-73, 101 2646, 2655-2656, 69 478 (1981). Beyond whatever due foreclose independent judgment facts bearing means, ban, 27 doubt enacted communicat ons. But conclusory statements debates proponents bill,7 similar assertions hearings identical bill year H.R. 1786,8 still presented how ineffective recent might prove be. fail-safe method guaranteeing minor able system. enacted, introduced floor; committee report language taken. No Congressman Senator purported present often circumvent hand, 1786, Committee heard testimony witnesses tried practice.9 hearing, Chairman Subcommittee suggested consultation looking toward "drafting piece pass muster, practical families groups for." Hearings, 235. emerged Committee. For know record, technological approach seek extremely effective, few disobedient people manage secure messages.10 seems precedents, form, invalid limiting conversations suitable hear. "burn[ing] 29 Because survive scrutiny. 30 Accordingly, 88-515 31 ordered. 32 concurring. 33 join add words. missed value portion reasoning follows: 34 "For messages." Ante, 130-131. said: 35 "We inadequate, Since 36 Court's think correct wholesale upon merely alternate circumvented suggests. reasonable draws line balancing process is, risk unacceptable—depends mere "indecency" (as opposed "obscenity") includes. understanding "obscene," hence pornographic embraced within residual category "indecency," becomes greater assurance insulation So am sure assumptions reasoning. believe, example, sort sexual activity portrayed lines fall uphold, strike down, long appeals "normal, healthy desires" "shameful morbid" ones. Brockett Spokane Arcades, 472 491, 498, 2794, 2798, 86 394 joining examination history (ante, 129-130) meant establish anywhere else demonstrating infeasibility alternative (given nature material) adequate understand valid. Even "[n]o judgment" infeasibility, ante, 130, valid true. Neither reports, floor debates, vote. 38 Finally, note Constitution banning fashion, utilities carry 39 whom STEVENS join, part. 40 imposing penalties making, others one's control make, patently unconstitutional. therefore opinion. my view, 223(b)(1)(A)'s parallel likewise convinced exaction consenting intolerable. concept 'obscenity' defined sufficient specificity clarity fair notice persons create distribute substantial erosion byproduct attempt suppress unprotected speech, avoid very costly institutional harms." 103, 2657, (1973) (BRENNAN, dissenting). sure, strong material them. 775-777, 3364-3365, (1982) judgment); (1968). profit "unconstitutionally overbroad, face," achieving end. 47, 2627, 42 adduces denying "far messages," 131, demonstrates forbidding unduly heavyhanded. After painstaking "a scheme scrambling, feasible safeguarding 546, 555, And 1987 attorney speaking behalf described proposed "very effective," "dramatically reduc[e] almost eliminating them." Decency 1987: Hearings 1786 Telecommunications Finance House Energy Commerce, 100th Cong., 1st Sess., 231 notes, 129-130, voted profit. Hence, plausibly warrants Draconian restriction hear provide. 43 unambiguously proscribes admits construction permissible. curtails freedom radically harm possibly license us, reverse face. dissent A typical lasts seconds two minutes 50,000 hourly single number. Comment, Telephones, Sex, Amendment, UCLA L.Rev. 1221, 1223 (1986). appealed Ninth Circuit, concurrently filing emergency motion pending appeal. entered temporarily enforcing pendency grant "indecent" directing file voluntary dismissal cause why dismissed lack jurisdiction. ex parte appeal, return Appeals' cause. dismissing direct transferring Dial-a-porn big business. City alone six seven million month 6-month period ending 1985. 846, 848 (C.A.2, 1986). "(b)(1) Whoever knowingly— "(A) Columbia foreign telephone, makes (directly recording device) person, maker placed call; "(B) permits facility prohibited subparagraph (A), "shall fined $50,000 imprisoned months, both." jurisdictional jurisdiction, revised 7524 Child Protection Obscenity Enforcement 7524, 4502, Title VII, Subtitle N, Anti-Drug Abuse Pub. L. 100-690 (codified (1988 ed.)). legislation, signed November 18, separate containing enforceable longer states pertinent part: clause (i), title Code, years, both. "(2) 4502. substantive prohibitions remain same, moot. statement, argued severable last renewed merits, presumably subsequent modification specifically severability question us. See 134 Cong.Rec. 7331 (1988) (statement Rep. Bliley); id., 7336 Coats); 7330 Hall; 7599 Sen. Hatch). Hearing 2, (1987) (Rep. Bliley) (Hearings); Tauke). These Circuit. 129, 132-133, 195-196, 198-200, 230-231. 231-232, following colloquy occurred Nielson Mr. Ward, Attorney interested prosecutions: "Mr. NIELSON. Let me ask asked previous panel. Do current alternatives FCC—that cards, scrambling—do foolproof only? Either you. WARD. that—it's foolproof, option, dramatically reducing foolproof? Not absolutely foolproof."

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