Final answer:
The concept of obscenity varies and is not universally applied to all forms of media; it is based on the Miller test, which accounts for community standards, patent offensiveness, and lack of value. The FCC's indecency regulations also play a role in governing broadcast content, especially when accessible by minors.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that obscenity is defined by a set of principles that apply to all media in all situations is false. Obscenity is a complex legal concept that relates to material that is extremely offensive by current societal norms and often involves prurient interests without serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value. The U.S. Supreme Court in Miller v. California (1973) established the Miller test to determine what constitutes obscene material, which includes considerations of average person standards, patent offensiveness, and lack of value. However, the determination of obscenity can vary based on local community standards, and what may be deemed obscene in one locality might not be in another, especially with the advent of the Internet where community standards are more ambiguous.
The FCC regulates indecency and profanity in broadcasting, especially when children are in the audience, under its indecency regulations. The constraints on such broadcasts are based on the government's need to balance the protection of children and the broadcasters' freedom of expression. Infamous incidents like the Super Bowl halftime show in 2004, where Janet Jackson experienced a 'wardrobe malfunction', led to significant FCC fines, showcasing the application of these broadcasting standards.