Final answer:
Current definitions of obscenity rely on norms of the public sphere by considering contemporary community standards, which vary from place to place, to determine if a work lacks value and is offensive. The regulation of obscenity extends beyond written material to other forms of media, with the FCC imposing indecency regulations to limit indecent and obscene content on public airwaves.
Step-by-step explanation:
The current definitions of obscenity rely on norms of the public sphere in a variety of ways. One key factor is the concept of 'contemporary community standards.' Obscenity is determined based on whether the average person, applying these contemporary community standards, would find the work as a whole appealing to the prurient interest, depicts or describes sexual conduct in a patently offensive way, and lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value. This means that the definition of obscenity can vary from place to place, as societal norms in different communities differ. In addition, the application of these standards can be problematic. Speech or expression can be ruled obscene if it breaks local or state laws and lacks value. However, what is considered obscene may not be universally agreed upon. Some people in certain cities might not find something offensive that others would consider obscene. This variation highlights the challenge of defining obscenity based on norms of the public sphere. Furthermore, the regulation of obscenity extends beyond written material to other forms of media. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) imposes indecency regulations on television, radio, and other broadcasters to limit indecent and obscene content on public airwaves. This regulation recognizes the influence of norms of the public sphere in determining what is considered obscene.