fairness doctrine

American  

[fair-nis] / ˈfɛər nɪs /

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.

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Etymology

Origin of fairness doctrine

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.”

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From BBC

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

From Salon

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.

From Salon

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

From Salon