Question

The Reverend Jerry Falwell argued that the Supreme Court should uphold his damage award against Hustler because the ad parody it ran was clearly more outrageous than any political cartoon. The Supreme Court said:

a) The case lacked substantial evidence
b) The damages were excessive
c) The parody was protected speech
d) The ad was a misrepresentation

Answer 1

The Supreme Court ruled that the ad parody run by Hustler magazine was protected speech under the First Amendment.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Supreme Court decided that the ad parody run by Hustler magazine was protected speech under the First Amendment in the case of Hustler Magazine v. Falwell. The court ruled that parodies of public figures, even ones intended to cause emotional distress, are protected by the First Amendment. Therefore, option c) The parody was protected speech is the correct answer.