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Simple English definitions for legal terms
fairness doctrine
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A quick definition of fairness doctrine:
The fairness doctrine was a rule that required TV and radio stations to give people a fair chance to talk about different sides of important issues. This meant that if one person or group was talking about something on the news, the station had to let other people with different opinions talk about it too. The rule was stopped in 1987, but it used to be an important way to make sure everyone's voice was heard.
A more thorough explanation:
The fairness doctrine was a rule established by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that required broadcast media to provide a fair and balanced discussion of conflicting views on important public issues. This meant that broadcasters had to give equal time to different perspectives on controversial topics.
For example, if a radio station aired a program that presented a conservative viewpoint on a political issue, they would also have to provide airtime for a program that presented a liberal viewpoint on the same issue. This ensured that the public had access to a variety of opinions and could make informed decisions.
The fairness doctrine was abandoned by the FCC in 1987, which means that broadcasters are no longer required to provide equal time for different viewpoints. This has led to concerns about media bias and the impact of one-sided reporting on public opinion.