The Fairness doctrine was a former federal policy in the US requiring television and radio broadcasters to present contrasting viewpoints on controversial issues.
The Fairness doctrine dates back to 1949. The Federal Radio Commission (FRC) developed the policy in response to the growth of radio. The Federal Communications Commission believed that licenses for broadcast and radio were a form of public trust, and, as such, licensees should provide fair and balanced coverage over controversial issues.
The first affirmation of the fairness doctrine was in 1969, when the U.S supreme court unanimously ruled that the Red Lion Broadcasting company had violated the fairness doctrine. Red Lion’s radio station, WGCB, aired a program that attacked author and journalist, Fred J. Cook. Cook asked for equal “equal time” but was refused, so the FCC supported his claim because the agency viewed the WGCB program as a personal attack.
Now, the fairness doctrine, although meant well, caused more harm than good. In a 1985 report, led by President Reagan appointee Mark Fowler, concluded that the fairness doctrine caused stations to be unwilling to air reports that included controversial viewpoints. Rather many stations started sticking to dry topics that wouldn’t stir up controversial points or ways of thinking. The FCC also expressed concern about the fairness doctrine’s constitutional soundness. Many were convinced that the First Amendment rights of broadcasters were being hindered because they had to report on something that they didn’t want to. Two years later, the Fairness doctrine was rejected by the FCC and was banned.
There have been many instances where politicians have tried to bring back the fairness doctrine but all were unsuccessful. Recently, several prominent Democrats have expressed interest in bringing it back, including past president Bill Clinton.
Finally, out of an abundance of caution, on February 26, the Senate approved the Republican Amendment to the D.C. voting rights bill that would prevent the FCC from reinstating the fairness doctrine all together.
In conclusion, the Fairness Doctrine did serve its purpose when it was stated. But with the change in lifestyle and everyone wanting to be free and express their feelings however they want, the Fairness doctrine had to fail. By telling people you must tell both sides of the story, is a direct contradiction of the first amendment and many people soon realized this and soon opposed the doctrine. The Fairness doctrine is something that will always be talked about, but looking at the history of the United States it seems as though it is becoming more unlikely to ever be affirmed again.
Written By: Ayad Paulus
Evolution of News Media 