Difference between revisions of "Fairness Doctrine"
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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. | ||
| − | One effect of its demise was to open the doors to today's political "talk radio," previously inhibited by stations' concerns that they would be required to give time to opposing views. | + | One effect of its demise was to open the doors to today's political "talk radio," previously inhibited by stations' concerns that they would be required to give time to opposing views. [[Michelle Malkin]] notes several instances where [[liberal]]s are trying to resurrect the [[Fairness Doctrine]] and use it to censor [[conservative]] [[free speech]]. <ref>[http://michellemalkin.com/2007/06/20/fairness-doctrine-watch-a-progressive-attack-on-talk-radio/ Fairness Doctrine Watch: A “progressive” attack on talk radio]</ref> |
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]]). | ||
Revision as of 14:23, June 21, 2007
The fairness doctrine was a policy of the U. S. Federal Communications Commission from 1949 until 1987. The doctrine required broadcasters who aired material on controversial issues to provide reasonable time for the expression of opposing views.
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. [1]
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.
One effect of its demise was to open the doors to today's political "talk radio," previously inhibited by stations' concerns that they would be required to give time to opposing views. Michelle Malkin notes several instances where liberals are trying to resurrect the Fairness Doctrine and use it to censor conservative free speech. [2]
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). [3]
References
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.
- ↑ Fairness Doctrine Watch: A “progressive” attack on talk radio
- ↑ The Fairness Doctrine, Museum of Broadcast Communication]