The FCC Stopped Enforcing the Fairness Doctrine in 1987
The Fact
From 1949, the Federal Communications Commission's Fairness Doctrine required broadcast licensees to cover controversial issues of public importance and to give reasonable opportunity for contrasting views. The FCC stopped enforcing the doctrine in 1987 and formally removed the rule in 2011.
What This Means
Since 1987, TV and radio broadcasters have had no federal rule requiring them to air opposing viewpoints.
Why It Matters
Knowing the rule is gone helps explain why so much broadcasting picks a side.
Sources
Congressional Research Service. “Fairness Doctrine: History and Constitutional Issues” (R40009). https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R40009