Final answer:
An individual using profane and vulgar language at a public meeting without regard for who is offended could be committing disorderly conduct, which is regulated under law to balance free speech and public order.
Step-by-step explanation:
An individual at a public meeting who uses profane and vulgar language recklessly, without concern for who might be offended, could be considered to have committed disorderly conduct. Disorderly conduct is a broad term that encompasses various actions deemed to be disruptive or offensive. According to legal standards like those highlighted in Cohen v. California, the First Amendment's freedom of speech protections limit what can be considered disorderly conduct, asserting that the state cannot criminalize speech unless there is a specific and compelling reason to do so. However, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has outlined that profane language can be a nuisance and such speeches are restricted on broadcast media during certain hours.
The actual malice standard applies to public officials and figures who wish to sue for defamation, meaning that the speaker must have known the statement to be false or have been recklessly indifferent to its truth. In contexts where speech is considered to disrupt peace or is especially offensive to others, such as the scenarios described, consequences can ensue, reflecting society's balance between free speech and maintaining public order.