The Fairness Doctrine

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that the Fairness Doctrine was a law that balanced mass media information, allowing time and credibility to all sides of a given argument so that the listener would receive credible and reliable information. The author relates that, along with the new pioneers of broadcast journalism, advertising, and editorial commentary, the Fairness Doctrine came about in the mid-20th century as an extension of First Amendment rights, which remained in place for most of the latter half of the 20th century, but was revoked by the FCC in the early 1980s after long years of misunderstandings, political conflicts, and conflicting precedents in various court cases. The paper stresses that, although networks even advertise that their news is "fair and balanced", it is not; the Fairness Doctrine must be reinstated as an ethical broadcasting rule designed to provide controversial issues with a balanced presentation, not censorship.

From the Paper:

"The Fairness Doctrine is involved explicitly with radio and television
broadcasters, and states that there are responsibilities which these broadcasters must uphold to the public so that the information that the viewing and listening public receives is fair and balanced and opposing viewpoints get a chance to be presented. In essence, it is a measure of responsibility and accountability for the free press that is able to give counterarguments and provide a space for counterarguments regarding issues that are controversial and require a public forum so that the viewing and listening public can get a full cognizance of the issues being presented on both sides. Objectivity has always been a key tenet of journalism, but the achievement of objectivity is less clear and the Fairness Doctrine has responded to a need for clarity in this presentation by highlighting balanced reportage of issues that concern the public or may be political, controversial, or the subject of dis- or misinformation."

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