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The Supreme Court's 2024 decisions have brought significant changes to public relations practices, according to the Institute for Public Relations. These rulings address various issues, including the authority of administrative agencies, state regulation of social media, and combatting disinformation. Let's explore the key points and implications for PR practitioners.
Administrative Agency Power
The Supreme Court's decisions in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo and Relentless v. Department of Commerce have struck down the Chevron deference, which for 40 years allowed federal agencies substantial interpretative power over statutes. This shift means that courts no longer have to defer to agency interpretations, giving courts more power to interpret statutory ambiguities. For PR practitioners, this change suggests that regulations from agencies like the FTC, SEC and FCC may be overturned more frequently when challenged in courts, potentially leading to increased instability in regulatory practices.
State Regulation of Social Media
The cases of Moody v. NetChoice and NetChoice v. Paxton focused on state laws in Florida and Texas aimed at regulating social media content control. The Supreme Court's decision to send these cases back to circuit courts for broader evaluation highlights the ongoing debate about the First Amendment protections for social media companies. For PR professionals, this means that the regulatory environment around content curation and community standards on social media platforms remains uncertain. Future changes in social media regulations could significantly impact how PR practitioners manage online communications and content.
Combatting Disinformation
In Murthy v. Missouri, the Supreme Court addressed allegations that social media companies were working with the Biden administration to censor conservative speech. The Court's decision that the Attorney Generals did not have standing to sue leaves the underlying First Amendment issues unresolved. This outcome indicates that debates around content moderation and control in social media will persist. PR practitioners should be prepared for ongoing changes in how disinformation is managed on social platforms, impacting reputation management and social media strategies.
Implications for PR Practitioners
The recent Supreme Court decisions underscore a rapidly evolving landscape for public relations. With the weakening of agency power, increased scrutiny on social media regulations and ongoing challenges in managing disinformation, PR professionals must stay adaptable. The regulatory environment is becoming more volatile, and practitioners need to be vigilant about legal changes that could affect communication strategies.
In summary, the Supreme Court's 2024 rulings bring about significant shifts that PR professionals must navigate. Understanding these changes and their implications will be crucial for effective communication and regulatory compliance in the future. AOE has deep expertise in navigating these waters in concert with legal counsel, advocacy and policy experts and your communications teams. Reach out today!
This post was written with the assistance of artificial intelligence.