The Fairness Doctrine

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Posted on: September 2, 2008

Posted in: All Videos, One Minute Issue

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The Fairness Doctrine

The Fairness Doctrine—a rule enforced by the FCC—was created in 1949. It mandated that broadcasters “make reasonable judgments in good faith” on how best to present all sides of controversial issues.

Nearly 40 years and 8 administrations later, the FCC studied the Doctrine in 1985. It found the rule was “chilling speech,” a legal term meaning that the Fairness Doctrine was causing station managers to shy away from political coverage altogether.Rather than making debates “fair” it stopped debates from happening at all.

To learn more about the Fairness Doctrine and other free speech issues, visit CEI.org.

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