Abstract
Examines the impact of the Federal Trade Commission's doctrine and its effects. Discusses the impact the Fairness Doctrine has had on society from a political, social, and legal perspective. Discusses the history of the FCC doctrine, and the purpose of the Doctrine in balancing views on controversial issues.

From the Paper
"The Fairness Doctrine required broadcasters in television and radio, as a condition of getting their licenses from the FCC, to cover controversial issues within their community by offering some ..."

Abstract
This paper explains that the FTC acts as a watchdog to protect Americans from abuses otherwise possible in our free enterprise system; by preventing monopolies and price-fixing, the FTC encourages free trade and a fair marketplace. The author describes the case against the Wisconsin Chiropractic Association, which represent 90% of the chiropractors in Wisconsin, of conspiring to force health care providers to pay higher rates for chiropractic services than they had previously paid. The paper relates that the settlement forbids the WCA from participate any further in any kind of price fixing, as well as telling others to engage in price fixing.

From the Paper
"Specific limits were placed on what the WCA could and could not do, including careful control of any surveys taken, since a survey had been used to help the conspiracy meet its goals. Specific protections were put in place to make it easier for the FTC to make sure the WCA complied with the terms of the agreement. It should be noted that the fact that the parties agreed to the FTC ruling did not mean that any individual acknowledged any actual guilt."

Tags:watchdog, monopolies, price-fixing, conspiring, healthcare

From the Paper
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has authority over much of consumers' daily lives, including the advertising consumers are exposed to and the rules and regulations governing credit cards. This research provides an overview of the FTC, including a short history of the Commission, its responsibilities and functions, the industries it regulates, and the Commission's role and effect on the credit card industry.

The Federal Trade Commission was founded in 1914 to maintain competitive enterprise in the American economic system. The FTC is charged with preventing the free enterprise system from being fettered by monopoly or restraints on trade, or corrupted by unfair or deceptive trade practices. Specifically, the Federal Trade commission Act prohibits the use in commerce of "unfair methods of competition" and "unfair or deceptive acts or ... "

Abstract
This paper explores the Federal Communications Commission. It begins with a brief history and the current structure of the Agency. The paper then discusses the functions of the Agency and the current problems and successes the Agency is experiencing. Lastly, it overviews the method of information dissemination for Agency, and the important information products available.

From the Paper
"The Communications Act of 1934 established the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). This independent United States government agency is directly responsible to Congress, and is responsible for regulating interstate and international communications, including: radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable. The FCC has jurisdiction over all 50 states, the District of Columbia and American possessions ("About the FCC", 2006). The FCC was a replacement for the Federal Radio Commission, which was a temporary agency established in 1927. As mentioned, the FCC was created by the Communications Act of 1934, which was enacted by Congress on June 19th, 1934. It "consolidated, on a permanent basis, regulatory authority over all interstate broadcasting and wire communications, including telephone and telegraph" (Longley, 2006)."

Tags:federal, communications, commission

Abstract
The U.S. "Fairness Doctrine" refers explicitly to radio and television broadcasters. It states that the information that the viewing and listening public receives should be fair and balanced and opposing viewpoints get a chance to be presented. This paper discusses what the "Fairness Doctrine" is, why it was discontinued and by whom. It presents several court cases that directly relate to it and why it is essential that the "Fairness Doctrine" be reinstated.

From the Paper
"Opponents of the Fairness Doctrine argue that it unconstitutional because it violates the 1st Amendment by dictating what individualss can and cannot say. This is a weak claim and has been generally disregarded when looking at the Fairness Doctrine. The Doctrine in no way violates the 1st Amendment; if anything, it strengthens those rights by assuring the public a clear and informed knowledge base. Broadcasters are allowed to have opinions on issues and to broadcast those opinions, but what the Fairness Doctrine does is ensure that they also allow space for people to speak who have an opposition to their view."

Tags:communication, fcc, First, Amendment, Red, Lion

Abstract
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."

Tags:cases, censorship, balance, rights, ethics

Abstract
This paper explains the Fairness Doctrine and charts its application over its forty year history. It also examines the relevant Supreme Court cases in relation to the Doctrine and looks at how two presidents embraced the doctrine and used it to actively curtail free speech. The party political argument from both the Democratic and the Republican parties is examined and explained, with criticisms being illustrated throughout the paper.

From the Paper
"The Fairness Doctrine was first introduced at the beginning of anti-communist hysteria in the United States in 1949 and stated that opposing viewpoints on issues of controversy had to be presented in an equal manor, with equal time given to each viewpoint in the media. This rule however was not applied to newspapers, but only to the broadcast media outlets of television and radio. The doctrine was intended to enable a wider range of opinions to be aired, so that the public would be better informed about current events. The owners of radio and television stations were threatened with having their licences revoked or having to pay hefty fines if the rule was not stringently adhered to. "

Tags:Kennedy, Nixon, Rights, Freedom, of, Speech, Press, Madison, Locke

Abstract
This paper explains that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
is created, directed and empowered by the Congressional statute and is answerable only to the United States Congress; its responsibility is regulating the radio spectrum for the non-governmental use of radio and television broadcasting and all forms of telecommunication such as wireless, satellite, cable and the internet. The author points out that the FCC is criticized for being both too restrictive and permissive causing several hardships to the general public and to the service providers such as delaying the licensing of new projects thereby making the use of new technologies risky. The paper relates that a positive role played by the agency is safe guarding the societal interests controlling the use of electromagnetic waves, popularly known as radio spectrum, which have emerged as one of important secondary needs of the human society along with electricity and the motorcar.

Table of Contents
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Critical Analysis of the Functioning of FCC
Positive Aspects of FCC
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The commission is governed by a group of five commissioners appointed by the President of the United States and approved by the senate for a five-year term. One of the commissioners, nominated by the President officiates as the Chirman of the commission. Ten staff Offices and six operating Bureaus under the overall supervision of the office of the Managing Director, assist the commissioners in executing the responsibilities like processing of applications for licenses and other filings, analyzing complaints, conducting investigations, developing and implementing regulatory programs, and taking part in hearings based on judicial disputes arising in the use of radio spectrum."

Tags:indecency, monopolistic, electromagnetic-waves, regulation, delays

Abstract
The paper looks at the merger of Equitable Resources, Inc. and the Peoples Natural Gas Company, a subsidiary of Dominion Resources, Inc. and discusses how this merger was claimed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to violate Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act and Section 7 of the Clayton Act. The paper outlines the utility market in Western Pennsylvania, explains the deregulation of the electricity markets and looks at the position of the Equitable/ Dominion companies. The paper highlights the conflict in various areas of governance and regulation in this area of the law.

Outline:
Introduction
Background to the Study
Overview of Gas Utility Market - Western PA
Complaint for Temporary Restraining Order
Answer Filed in Court by Equitable/ Dominion Peoples
Foreeseability Doctrine Rehabilitation
Summary and Conclusion

From the Paper
"The utility market in Western Pennsylvania is unique because it is the only gas utility market where there are overlapping service territories in the gas utility market. There are five utilities in operation in this area however their operations are to varying degrees with some areas containing three different utility company gas lines under the same streets.
"Distribution rates of each of the utility's distributions rates are regulated with PAPUC capping the maximum allowable rates however the gas supply portion is unregulated with freedom among customers in choosing gas supply and gas distribution services from different utilities. At the time of the proposed merger the gas bill was typically 20% for distribution and 80% for supply. In some areas the utilities offer distribution of gas services at less-than-allowable rates to industrial and commercial customers. PAPUC ordered the gas supply market deregulated in 1999."

Tags:deregulation, regulation, electricity, markets, acquisitions, competition

Abstract
The paper relates that in 2000, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) blocked the merger between Beech-Nut and Heinz, the second and third largest baby food sellers in the US, despite them being smaller than Gerber, the market leader. The paper outlines the baby food market and the details of the Heinz/Beech-Nut case. The paper explains that it is difficult to evaluate the court's decision to block the merger; on the one hand, the FTC argued that a potential merger would have increased product homogeneity, increased market entry barrier further and reduced excess production, while the merging parties argued that increased efficiencies would result from the merger, benefiting the customer.

Outline:
Introduction
Baby Food Market
Heinz and Beech-Nut competition
Barriers to Entry in the Baby Food Market
Heinz and Beech-Nut Potential Merger Efficiencies
Post-Merger Potential Consumer Loss
Concluding Remarks

From the Paper
"In 2000, the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) blocked the merger between Beech-Nut and Heinz, the second and third largest baby food sellers in US, despite their much more reduced size than Gerber, the market leader. The issue at stake was whether or not the potential loss of competition would offset the post-merger synergy claims - Heinz had a new factory and Beech-Nut had good recipes. In a nutshell, Heinz and Beech-Nut products were rarely sold in the same supermarket, whereas Gerber and another brand were in almost all supermarkets. However, the two brands were competing against each other to be the third brand on the supermarket shelves."

Tags:efficiencies, consumer, competition, pricing, product, homogeneity, market, entry, barriers