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The '''fairness doctrine''' was a policy of the U. S. Federal Communications Commission from 1949 until 1987.  

The '''fairness doctrine''' was a policy of the U. S. Federal Communications Commission from 1949 until 1987. Daniel Henninger wrote in the ''Wall Street Journal,

The doctrine required broadcasters who aired material on controversial issues to provide reasonable time for the expression of opposing views.  

The doctrine required broadcasters who aired material on controversial issues to provide "equal time" for the expression of opposing views.  The net result was censorship, broadcasters simply refrained from airing public affairs programing.

==Opposition to mandated fairness==

==Opposition to mandated fairness==

One recurring criticism of this requirement was that it had the [[de facto]] effect of limiting broadcast-media treatment of certain controversial subjects. <ref>Doris Garber argues that "the media frequently shy away from programs dealing with controversial public issues to avoid demands to air opposing views in place of revenue-producing programs.'' </ref>  

One recurring criticism of this requirement was that it had the [[de facto]] effect of limiting broadcast-media treatment of certain controversial subjects. <ref>Doris A. Garber, "Mass Media and American Politics" (Washington: Congressional Quarterly Press, 1980), p. 93.  Doris Garber argues that "the media frequently shy away from programs dealing with controversial public issues to avoid demands to air opposing views in place of revenue-producing programs.'' </ref>  

Under [[FCC]] regulations, however, the media could avoid the problem of furnishing additional air-time for opposing views if they included opposing views on the issues in their regular news programming. The courts tended to side with radio and television media if they can bring forth reasonably good evidence of "fairness" in the coverage.

Under [[FCC]] regulations, however, the media could avoid the problem of furnishing additional air-time for opposing views if they included opposing views on the issues in their regular news programming. The courts tended to side with radio and television media if they can bring forth reasonably good evidence of "fairness" in the coverage.

With the rise of alternatives like cable TV, the networks lost their monopoly on news and public affairs programming. President Ronald Reagan helped introduce competition into the marketplace of ideas by deregulating the broadcast industry and had the FCC drop the "fairness doctrine". Reagan's idea was that broadcasters could endorse whatever views it chose (see [[free speech]] and [[freedom of press]]).

With the rise of alternatives like cable TV, the networks lost their monopoly on news and public affairs programming. President Ronald Reagan helped introduce competition into the marketplace of ideas by deregulating the broadcast industry and had the FCC drop the "fairness doctrine". Reagan's idea was that broadcasters could endorse whatever views it chose (see [[free speech]] and [[freedom of press]]).

<ref>[http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/F/htmlF/fairnessdoct/fairnessdoct.htm The Fairness Doctrine], Museum of Broadcast Communication]</ref>

<ref>[http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/F/htmlF/fairnessdoct/fairnessdoct.htm The Fairness Doctrine], Museum of Broadcast Communication</ref>

Representative [[Mike Pence]], a [[Republican]] from [[Indiana]] says “There’s nothing fair about the Fairness Doctrine”  <ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,286972,00.html Lawmaker Aims to Block Any Change to Talk Radio Rules]</ref>

Representative [[Mike Pence]], a [[Republican]] from [[Indiana]] says “There’s nothing fair about the Fairness Doctrine”  <ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,286972,00.html Lawmaker Aims to Block Any Change to Talk Radio Rules]</ref>

== References ==

== References ==

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