ABSTRACT
The Fairness Doctrine was a regulatory policy enforced by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from 1949 to 1987. It imposed a duty on all broadcast licensees to actively seek out controversial issues of public importance and provide fair and balanced coverage by giving opposing viewpoints a reasonable opportunity to be expressed. In practical terms, the Fairness Doctrine compelled television and radio broadcasters to allow differing positions reasonable airtime on controversial issues of public importance.
