Final answer:
The Supreme Court ruled in the Snyder v. Phelps case that speech deals with matters of public concern when it involves issues that are important to the public and make a significant contribution to public debate.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the case Snyder v. Phelps, the Supreme Court ruled that speech deals with matters of public concern when it involves issues that are important to the public and make a significant contribution to public debate. The Court stated that public concern can include topics like political, social, and moral issues.
For example, in the Snyder v. Phelps case, the speech in question involved protests by the Westboro Baptist Church at military funerals. While the content of the speech was offensive and caused emotional distress, the Court found that it dealt with matters of public concern because it involved expressing opinions on the government's policies, the nation's moral and religious values, and the impact of military service.
The Court's decision highlighted the importance of protecting speech on matters of public concern, even if it is controversial or offensive, in order to preserve the principles of free speech and democratic discourse.