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

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

The first thing Biden could do is re-introduce and support the Fairness Doctrine.

From Salon

But Reagan did more than remove the guardrails, he ditched the Fairness Doctrine.

From Salon

It was a post–Fairness Doctrine age, which allowed fringe far-right voices to steadily infect the national conversation.

From Slate