Diploma thesis "The development of legal, political and social aspects of obscenity in the USA" focuses on the historical development of the basic definition of obscenity, highlights the long and difficult process of its formulation and presents crucial decisions of the Supreme court. It also briefly summarizes chief arguments supporting or rejecting censorship on the grounds of obscenity. This work also provides with a general overview of legislature concerning obscenity in the United States and concisely presents some interest groups, which are actively fighting against obscenity/ indecency or for the protection of the freedom of speech. Furthermore, the work also focuses on the work of the Federal Communication commission and gives an overview of its rulings regulating obscenity and indecency in broadcasting media. Finally, this work also introduces the Nipplegate scandal and concentrates on the developments after it.

Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right which is important not only for the intellectual integrity of an individual but also for the healthy development of the whole society. The work represents both general arguments for freedom of expression and codification of freedom in two different legal cultures. In the United States the freedom of expression is protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution, which complements the rich jurisprudence of the Supreme Court of the United States. In Mexico, the right is regulated in Article 6 of the Constitution. The work shows how both countries reached the current legislation on the basis of examination of legal developments and cultural values. The values of the societies are presented on the basis of Hofstede's cultural dimensions. The core of the thesis is to compare the legal limits, which is made primarily on the basis of judicial practice of the Supreme Courts of both countries. Emphasis is placed on four main areas which are related to freedom of speech: (i) fighting words including hate speech, (ii) symbolic speech, (iii) obscenity, and (iv) defamation. In addition to the legal limits the work interprets also the most significant actual limits in both countries. Finally, the author examines the relationship between freedom of expression and...