The Birth and Death of the Fairness Doctrine

June 7, 1949 – A landmark decision in the realm of entertainment and broadcast law was made this week 75 years ago when the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) introduced the Fairness Doctrine. This doctrine required broadcast licensees to present controversial issues of public importance and to do so in a manner that was honest, equitable, and balanced.

The Fairness Doctrine aimed to ensure that all coverage of controversial issues by a broadcast station be balanced and fair. Its origins were rooted in the Communications Act of 1934, which required broadcasters to operate in the public interest. The doctrine emerged from the belief that broadcast licensees, as trustees of the public airwaves, should provide a platform for diverse viewpoints, especially on controversial subjects.

While the Fairness Doctrine was a cornerstone of broadcasting policy for many years, it faced substantial opposition and was ultimately abolished in 1987 under the Reagan Administration. Critics argued that it stifled free speech and that the proliferation of cable television and other media platforms rendered it obsolete.

The legacy of the Fairness Doctrine remains a point of debate. Some view it as a necessary measure to ensure balanced public discourse, while others see its end as a victory for free speech.

In my view, the end of the Fairness Doctrine is a key trigger point that led to widespread distrust of media and the massive divisions we see in American society. Maybe we should bring it back?

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