fairness doctrine

[fair-nis]

noun

1. a policy mandated by the Federal Communications Commission, requiring radio and television stations to grant equal time to a political candidate, group, etc., to present an opposing viewpoint to one already aired.

Word History and Origins

Origin of fairness doctrine¹

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

Bill Ruder, who was involved in the effort as an assistant secretary of commerce, was later quoted as saying: “Our massive strategy was to use the Fairness Doctrine to challenge and harass right-wing broadcasters and hope that the challenges would be so costly to them that they would be inhibited and decide it was too expensive to continue.”

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In 1949 the commission began enforcing a rule known as the Fairness Doctrine, which required stations to present differing viewpoints on controversial issues.

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Reagan kicked out the underpinnings of the free press by getting rid of the Fairness Doctrine while simultaneously allowing consolidation of the media.

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Weaponized disinformation will ultimately kill the First Amendment, which the Supreme Court recognized back in 1969 when it approved the Fairness Doctrine and required accuracy in the media.

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We don’t even consume media the same way we did more recently, when the Fairness Doctrine was embraced by SCOTUS.

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