equal time

noun

1. an equal amount of time on the air, which radio and television licensees are required to offer to opposing candidates for public office and to those voicing diverging views on public referendums.

equal time

1. A ruling of the United States government, administered by the Federal Communications Commission, requiring that all candidates for public office be given equal access to the free or paid use of radio and television.

Word History and Origins

Origin of equal time¹

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

The strategy was to file endless demands for free equal time—but not actually to obtain the equal time.

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During an appearance on conservative commentator Scott Jennings’ podcast, Carr indicated that “The View” might be investigated to see whether it qualifies as “a bona fide news program,” which would exempt it from the FCC’s equal time rule.

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FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has indicated that “The View” might be investigated to see whether it qualifies as “a bona fide news program,” which would exempt it from the agency’s equal time rule.

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This is when Sun is directly above Earth's equator resulting in almost equal time of the length of day and night.

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As was shown here, Murrow offered McCarthy equal time on “See It Now” — which he hosted alongside the celebrity-focused “Person to Person,” represented by an interview with Liberace — but it proved largely a rope for the senator to hang himself.

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