What is the Fairness Doctrine? Why do we need it?

Question

What is the Fairness Doctrine? Why do we need it?

Answer 1

The "Fairness Doctrine" is the most misnamed thing out there.  It says that if you as a listener prefer listening to Conservative (or liberal ) or whatever radio, you must be forced to also listen to every other point of view with equal time.  Rather than "Fair" it forces radio and TV stations to give equal time to everyone asking for it even if the listeners don't want it, the person asking is a total waste of time and the opinions are so far down on the list of reasonable that they don't deserve anytime.  If you disagree with the likes of Limbaugh, Oriely, Hannity etc, you have the choice of listening to Air America.  If there is no Liberal radio in your area, it may be because there is not enough interest to make it a viable format.  Under the Fairness doctrine, you'd be forced to listen to it, but conversely if you liked Air America, you'd be forced to listen to an equal amount of conservative talk.  It eliminates freedom of choice and severely limits free speech since you are only free to speak to the extent that you are willing to (at your cost) provide equal time for everyone else with an opinion.

Interestingly enough most of those pushing for it hate the fact that conservative talk radio is so successful, while liberal talk radio has been a bad failure.  They don't realize that they'd be forced to carry conservative talkers on their liberal stations!  The end result is everyone loses!

Answer 2

idk?

Answer 3

In a nutshell, the Fairness Doctrine is if someone broadcasts a conservative opinion, the liberal opinion must also be able to voice itself.

IMO, it is a useless law because we all have the ability to use the OFF button on a radio or TV.  If I don't like what I am watching or hearing, I simply turn it off and go on to something else.

Answer 4

The fairness doctrine was a United States FCC regulation requiring broadcast licensees to present controversial issues of public importance in a manner deemed by the FCC to be honest, equitable, and balanced. The doctrine has since been withdrawn by the FCC, and certain aspects of the doctrine have been questioned by courts.

Basically we needed it at the time because we were all terrified of communists sneaking into our brains and messing up all the hardware.