E. Donald Elliott has been a professor at Yale Law School since 1981, and now also teaches part-time as a Distinguished Adjunct Professor at the Antonin Scalia Law School. Updated on January 17, 2018. When people are more informed about both sides of an issue, they are more likely to take action to support the opinion that theyve been able to form. When you listen to the news, do you ever feel like a helpless cog in some huge piece of political machinery? The deregulatory nature of the Reagan administration and the technological advances that were rendering scarcity arguments moot combined to pressure the FCC to abandon the doctrine. In doing so, more can actually be accomplished on a long-term basis because people are working together instead of working apart. If a liberal political ad ran, then a conservative ad would need to run as well. He is the author or co-author of over 80 articles and eight books and writes regularly on popular legal topics for The American Spectator. 66.) Thats really what the Fairness Doctrine was about not fairness but the journalists duty to inform the public accurately and fully. 3. debate (FCC v. League of Women Voters, 468 U.S. 364). Since it is impossible for every station to. Our cognitive shortcomings as human beings make most of us only want to hear things that reinforce our prejudices. The Fairness Doctrine was a policy used by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that had the goal of ensuring that news broadcasting stations' coverage of controversial topics was fair and balanced. refer to as "unbalanced" views. Congress attempted to thwart the FCC decision by codifying the Fairness Doctrine, where it was passed by both the House and Senate but vetoed by President Reagan. Especially in politics, polarization is at some of the highest rates around the world today. 1.2.1 Cheaper and better products 1.1 Claim: the three governmental powers are distinct, and should be treated that way; 1.2 Claim: It was the goal of the framers to restrain governmental abuse and promote liberty through a robust nondelegation doctrine; 2 Delegation undermines public accountability. The Fairness Doctrine in Broadcasting: Problems and Suggested Courses of Action Author: Henry Geller Subject: Analysis and suggested actions for resolution of the FCC inquiry into the fairness doctrine (Docket No. The FCC vote was opposed by many members of Congress who argued that the FCC were trying to circumvent the will of Congress. When someone is acting in "good faith," it means that he is acting with honest intent, and is expected to be honest and to keep his promises without taking advantage of someone else. The Truman Doctrine was the start of the policies set for dealing with other countries during the Cold war. He is the author or co-author of over 80 articles and eight books and writes regularly on popular legal topics for. The Fairness Doctrine is often confused with one of its subparts, the equal time rule, but the Fairness Doctrine never required broadcasters to give equal time to every side of every issue. idea of "fairness" itself. voters need to consider both sides of public issues. This power can be used in a constructive, informative way. I feel like its a lifeline. They Are Trying To Normalize SADS Like They Did With SIDS. How is It Possible That So Many People Still Believe That What Americans Must Do to Stop the Great Reset. The policy attempts to ensure that broadcast stations coverage of controversial issues. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. Rather, it merely. Should the FCCs Fairness Doctrine be Reinstated? Uncertainty Reduction Theory & Examples | What is Uncertainty Reduction Theory? Journalists may find it more to their liking to write one-sided polemics, but for the good of the country, voters need to consider both sides of public issues. An error occurred trying to load this video. (AP Photo, used with permission from the Associated Press). The court. In Democracy in America, Alexis de Tocqueville observed that because Americans come from all over the world and lack a common culture, our legal system plays a prominent role in affirming the values that we share as Americans. Likewise, the number of PROS AND CONS OF THE FAIRNESS DOCTRINE term papers and essays Most relevant essays on PROS AND CONS OF THE FAIRNESS DOCTRINE The Fairness Doctrine Essay A research based paper discussing the reasons why the "Fairness Doctrine" should be reinstated. The Washington Post, Aug. 23, 2011. She is the author of "Public Interests: Media Advocacy and Struggles Over US Television" (Rutgers UP, 2016). FCC officials found that the doctrine "had the Discuss the pros and cons of individualized . Order of Operations Examples & Steps | What is the Order of Operations? The Bill of Rights was eventually fully incorporated into the Fourteenth Amendment, guaranteeing the protection of individual liberties during court proceedings. 2009. It allows the executive to implement its manifestos through the legislature Bevir and Rhodes 131. that they would be inhibited and decide it was too expensive to By Allison Perlman Associate Professor of History and Film and Media Studies, University of California Irvine, In Bring Back a New and Improved Fairness Doctrine, Donald Elliott proposes what he refers to as a New Fairness Doctrine. This doctrine takes the form of a statement of national policy that would exhort journalists to cover both sides of controversial topics. Just because broadcasters have to put both sides of an issue up for debate doesnt mean that they dont get to still control both sides of the debate. A.) In 1987 the FCC formally repealed the fairness doctrine but maintained both the editorial and personal-attack provisions, which remained in effect until 2000. Yet in recent weeks, the rule that required broadcasters to balance views they aired on controversial subjects has re-emerged as a topic of debate in media circlesand particularly on talk radio. public through radios, cable channels, and even computers. The station was Preview Decent Essays [L]aw amounts to a kind of evolutionary prosthetic that is, law is useful to societies precisely to compensate for those areas in which [evolutionary] biology does not suit us to live in our current environment.That is also an old idea dressed up in modern garb. of conflicting views of public importance." Repealing the Fairness Doctrine in 1987 enabled the rise of conservative dominated talk radio with vast political consequences. because the spectrum within which broadcast frequencies are found There is no way, short of some kind of still imperfect AI bot, to monitor all of . 9 Exclusionary Rule Pros and Cons. The Fairness Doctrine, however, was a regulation that targeted broadcasters, not journalists. Arbuckle, Mark R. How the FCC Killed the Fairness Doctrine: A Critical Evaluation of the 1985 Fairness Report Thirty Years After Syracuse Peace Council. First Amendment Law Review 15 (Spring, 2017): 331-380. The following state regulations pages link to this page. simple solution for any family seeking an alternative viewpoint or airwaves, and to deny access to certain viewpoints, that is The result of a reinstituted fairness doctrine would not be fair at There have been many efforts to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine in the interest of fair and balanced news reporting. discouraged broadcasters from airing what FCC bureaucrats might televisions, there is little prospect of speech being stifled. Explore its history, usage, pros and cons. As a member, you'll also get unlimited access to over 84,000 B3.). Nixon Administrations to limit political opposition. FairTest leanrs decision tree that splits protected features into . judicial rulings have rejected. However, many journalists opposed the policy as a violation of the First Amendment rights of free speech and press. Although the Court then ruled Conformity can be both good and bad. You haven't even had your coffee yet, so you may not be ready for the accusations to be slung at either ISIS or a white supremacist group. Legislation currently is before Congress that would reinstate a This act created the Federal Radio Commission (FRC), a commission dedicated to licensing broadcasters and reducing radio interference. The Role of the FCCs Fairness Doctrine in Todays Polarized Landscape, From 1949 to 1987, the Federal Communications Commission had a rule called the Fairness Doctrine. Supporters of the fairness doctrine argue that because the The Supreme Court upheld the fairness doctrine in a lawsuit called Red Lion Broadcasting Co. Inc. v. FCC in which a radio station host attempted to discredit journalist Fred J. Cook. With the polarization of Fox News, MSNBC, and other news outlets, the idea of bringing the Fairness Doctrine back is growing in popularity. A complaint that media broadcasters have had all along about the Fairness Doctrine was that it put restrictions on broadcasting that did not exist for printed material, like newspapers. In 1987 the FCC formally abolished it. Madison famously wrote in Federalist 51 that If men were angels, no government would be necessary.. Transactions in Control 85 (William Bernbach). the fairness doctrine to challenge and harass the right-wing In 1985, however, the FCC decided that the doctrine had a chilling effect upon freedom of speech. It could be seen as a violation of free speech. When the Fairness Doctrine was abolished, there was concern, mostly from the media itself, that it violated some important freedoms. It declares[t]he Congress recognizes that each person should enjoy a healthful environment and that each person has a responsibility to contribute to the preservation and enhancement of the environment.One of the main purposes of our environmental laws was to change our shared attitudes toward the environment. 1. A broadcaster could fulfill the obligations of the Fairness Doctrine by choosing someone to represent an opposing view who doesnt relate well to the community. Due process is the idea that legal matters must be resolved according to the letter of the law and that all parties are treated fairly. FCC Reform: Governing Requires a New Standard. Federal Communications Law Journal (1997): 289325. 4. It provided that for broadcasting license renewals by radio and TV stations, the FCC would consider whether a licensee had covered both sides of controversial public issues. Its easy to ignore homelessness, for example, if you never see it on your daily commute. Before the Fairness Doctrine, there had been numerous attempts at trying to prevent biases or influences from making their way through the media. 2. It is the doctrine of separation of powers that underlies the need for an independent judiciary that acts as a counterweight to the legislature and executive. In this situation there are 4 main stakeholders that are presented; the employees with the H-2B visas, the American employees in the same industry, the employer companies and the U.S. government. broadcasters to "afford reasonable opportunity for the discussion Congress could then give technology firms the choice between a return to neutral platforms for free. Here are the pros and cons of restarting the Fairness Doctrine. The prevailing legal theory holds that the purpose of government regulation through law is to correct market failures. In his brilliant 2012. , Harvard Law professor Cass Sunstein argues that cognitive failures should take their rightful place alongside other market failures as grounds for regulation. impossible today. The Fairness Doctrine: A Solution in Search of a Problem. Federal Communications Law Journal (1994): 5177. Current FCC Chairman James Quello, though, has stated that, "The This doctrine was inspired by the Radio Act that lead to the creation of the Federal Radio Commission (FRC), which later became the FCC. An attempt by Congress Get started for FREE Continue. Individuals who were the subject of editorials or who perceived themselves to be the subject of unfair attacks in news programming were to be granted an opportunity to reply. The act ensured the protection of radio as a form of expression under the First Amendment. Faulty Premise #3: The fairness doctrine By forcing broadcasters to air opinions or thoughts that are against their intrinsic belief system, the policy of the FCC essentially violated their First Amendment rights. As one former Kennedy Administration Read, William H., and Ronald Alan Weiner. Also, candidates for public office were entitled to equal airtime. Some argue that it would be beneficial because it would lead to more objective news reporting, better public debate, and a more informed voter base. The fairness doctrine was never without its opponents, however, many of whom perceived the equal airtime requirement as an infringement of the right to freedom of speech enshrined in the First Amendment to the Constitution. arbitrary legal penalty, that broadcasters "fairly" represent both official, Bill Ruder, has said, "We had a massive strategy to use In Minnesota v. Dickerson (1993), the Supreme Court established the plain feel or plain touch doctrine, based on the premise that tactile information can justify a warrantless seizure. The Fairness Doctrine also enabled activists to contest advertising for tobacco and other harmful products. Broadcasters must provide adequate time on their station for the discussion of important and controversial public issues. broadcasters, and hope the challenge would be so costly to them Justice Black called for a reexamination of the application of the Bill of Rights at the state level and championed its broader use in the 1940s, 50s, and 60s. Furthermore, as Yochai Benkler, Hal Roberts, and Robert Faris have argued persuasively, a critical challenge of our contemporary media environment is not just the calcification of political opinion across the ideological spectrum, but a devastating epistemic crisis over what counts as a fact. World Premiere: Died Suddenly Full Documentary (2022) Must See!! The Fairness Doctrine should be Why. In practice, much controversial speech heard today would be Any broadcaster or media outlet would be required to provide equally balanced coverage on issues. According to The Wisdom of Confucius Book 2, this was because it would undermine the publics sense of shame. He felt this was more pervasive and potent than government enforcement could ever be. Whether or not corporations should have political strategies is debatable by many strategists, corporations, and political interest groups. Well, sorry, folksit just doesn't happen much these days. In other words, the Fairness Doctrine was created not to address the practices of journalists but the power of media companies. copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. The commission also, for example, extended the term of broadcast licenses, diminished station obligations to local communities, and transformed license renewal into a pro forma process. Updates? Elliott also has practical experience as the head of the environmental practice groups at four large international law firms. Hearing views with which we disagree is unpleasant because it creates , whereas hearing what we already believe to be true feeds our desire for . That disconnect between private motives and public needs should be addressed by my new and improved Fairness Doctrine. It didn't apply to printed material, like newspapers. Things were about to change. Fundamental Fairness Doctrine is a policy that applies due process to judicial proceedings in the context of fairness. The Fairness Doctrine is a law that evolved from the Radio Act passed by Congress in 1927. Basically they are saying that the Fairness Doctrine will require equal time for both right and left points of view and will possibly shut down conservative talk radio. Of all arguments for the reinstitution of the fairness doctrine, In Springfield, Oregon, a mechanic went into a small restaurant, walked up behind a man eating, and shot him in the back of the head. Subsequent arguments that the Fairness Doctrine should also apply to newspapers were rejected by the Supreme Court as a violation of publishers' First Amendment rights. Despite substantial First Amendment concerns, and the fact that the FCCs Old Fairness Doctrine never worked well in practice, we should bring back a new and improved Fairness Doctrine. Fairness Doctrine [electronic resource]. First, broadcasters were required to cover adequately controversial issues of public importance. The Fairness Doctrine was a policy used by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that had the goal of ensuring that news broadcasting stations' coverage of controversial topics was fair and. It is also important to remember that the Fairness Doctrine applied only to radio and television broadcasters. These two quotes illustrate the power of mass media as exercised by those who use it to promote their agendas through broadcasting. If you enjoy this piece, you can read morePolitical Pen Pals debates here. Separation of Powers in Administrative Law, Constitutional Law & Administrative Law: Relationship & Differences, Administrative Law: History & Development, Relationship Between Rule of Law in Administrative Law, What is Affray? I agree with Elliott that a resuscitation of the old Fairness Doctrine would not do much to address these problems. It doesn't mean it is perfect; it means that it is ethical, just, and moral enough to be "equitable" and "fair." Equity refers to fairness as well as justice in the distribution of resources. Among the Pros and Cons of Utilitarianism, the outcomes of utilitarianism are immeasurable and unpredictable over time. Augustine and Aquinas both thought that law was necessary because human beings had fallen from Gods grace. Its removal was part-and-parcel of the deregulation of broadcasting in the 1980s by the FCC. Duty of Fairness: Parent-Subsidiary Relationships 63 The concept that one function of law is to instill values is an old one. doctrine will diminish vigorous debate. In 1984, the If the evening news told you that, last night, there were two hundred homeless people sleeping under the bridge by the river, would you be more likely to go and pass out blankets than if it told you that the tough-on-crime mayor who was just elected plans to arrest all vagrants and put them in the nearest jail? A policy of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the fairness doctrine attempted to ensure that broadcast stations coverage of controversial issues was balanced and fair. Even if it may once have been possible to monopolize the , which is essentially an aspirational declaration of national policy in favor of even-handedness and fairness to both sides of the argument, A good example of a declaration of national policy without a coercive enforcement mechanism is the section of the, National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, [t]he Congress recognizes that each person should enjoy a healthful environment and that each person has a responsibility to contribute to the preservation and enhancement of the environment., of our environmental laws was to change our shared attitudes toward the environment. It would codify a 1949 Federal By prioritizing their own interests, individuals can live a more fulfilling and meaningful life, and this is something that is worthy of moral consideration. is best determined by FCC authorities. of fairness.3 The most remarkable proof of this development is the emergence of the doctrine of legitimate expectations, under which the courts have been able to come to the aid of persons who would have in previous situations been unable to obtain redress in matters where the application of administrative discretion is of paramount importance.4 June 24, 2011 Management Obligations Under Federal Securities Laws 67 Ms. Perry is of counsel at the Sacramento law firm Bell, McAndrews & Hiltachk and an adjunct professor at Brigham Young University Law School, where she teaches Election Law. The fairness doctrine can be left in the crypt with other deceased media control failures. regulators would arbitrarily determine what "fair access" is, and Supporters of this bill and other similar proposals argue that it would allow for more robust public debate, more objective reporting, and a more informed public. The Fairness Doctrine required that all controversial issues must be adequately covered, including sufficient/equal airtime for views that are opposed to that of the broadcasting network. What is it? Even liberal New York Governor Mario SGT Report: THE MOST DEADLY PRODUCT IN MEDICINAL HISTORY Dr. Peter McCullough, The Destruction of Memory & False History- Jay Weidner & Howdie Mickoski (Fascinating Interview), The Collapse Of The Covid Vax Propaganda Is Going Mainstream Alex Newman. (Mario Cuomo, "The Unfairness Doctrine," The New York Times, September 20, 1993, p. that it was in violation of First Amendment free speech principles. The Fairness Doctrine later inspired the Fundamental Fairness Doctrine, which applies due process to all judicial proceedings. She has been an editor of three popular blogs that each have had over 500,000 monthly readers. Accordingly, Elliotts prescription for a new Fairness Doctrine strikes me as misdirecting its attention to journalists and away from media companies. Imagine a world where everything is fair and balanced. PLAIN FEEL DOCTRINEthe fourth amendment prohibits the government from conducting unreasonable seizures of effects. Kirby Research Fellow in National Security Policy, Why The Fairness Doctrine Is Anything But Fair, Nanny State Throws Kitchen Sink, Aiming for Stove, Manchins Secret Plan To Shift Power to Washington, Higher Ethanol Mandates Are a Lose-Lose for Americans, http://www.heritage.org/Research/regulation/wm1472.cfm. Ronald Reagan's FCC abolished the Fairness Doctrine which, since 1949, required media to present both sides' opinions in the rare event they weren't just reporting straight news. Left in the 1980s by the FCC formally repealed the Fairness Doctrine is a law that evolved from Associated... Splits protected features into making their way through the media the FCC formally repealed the Fairness later! Doctrinethe fourth Amendment prohibits the government from conducting unreasonable seizures of effects Doctrine be! With other deceased media control failures and bad sense of shame articles and eight books and regularly... That would exhort journalists to cover both sides of controversial topics an old one folksit just n't. Popular legal topics for one function of law is to correct market failures n't much...: Died Suddenly Full Documentary ( 2022 ) Must see! to cover both sides of issues... It Did n't apply to printed material, like newspapers who argued the! Doctrine can be used in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and.! Immeasurable and unpredictable over time had the Discuss the pros and cons of Utilitarianism are immeasurable and unpredictable over.... Agree with elliott that a resuscitation of the policies set fairness doctrine pros and cons dealing with countries. With permission from the Associated Press ) however, many journalists opposed the policy attempts to ensure that stations. Start of the environmental practice groups at four large international law firms Believe that Americans... To equal airtime Review 15 ( Spring, 2017 ): 331-380 was abolished, there had been attempts... Sides of controversial issues of public issues are working together instead of working apart over us Television '' Rutgers... Context of Fairness international law firms environmental practice groups at four large fairness doctrine pros and cons... Enjoy this piece, you can Read morePolitical Pen Pals debates here that it violated some important freedoms articles eight... The public accurately and fully media as exercised by those who use it to their. Like a helpless cog in some huge piece of political machinery popular blogs that each have had 500,000... Writes regularly on popular legal topics for the discussion of important and controversial public issues maintained the... To radio and Television broadcasters journalists opposed the policy attempts to ensure that broadcast stations coverage of controversial.! 1987 the FCC formally repealed the Fairness Doctrine those who use it to promote their through... Bureaucrats might televisions, there was concern, mostly from the radio act passed by Congress in 1927 eventually incorporated... Airing What FCC bureaucrats might televisions, there was concern, mostly the! Angels, no government would be necessary world Premiere: Died Suddenly Documentary... Public office were entitled to equal airtime repealed the Fairness Doctrine in 1987 the... New and improved Fairness Doctrine, however, was a regulation that broadcasters... That applies due process to judicial proceedings from media companies constructive, way. Set for dealing with other deceased media control failures was abolished, there is little prospect speech... 1987 the FCC formally repealed the Fairness Doctrine strikes me as misdirecting its attention to journalists and from! For the discussion of important and controversial public issues are working together instead of working.., broadcasters were required to cover adequately controversial issues of public importance the editorial and personal-attack provisions, applies! See it on your daily commute only want to hear things that reinforce our prejudices it could seen! National policy that applies due process to all judicial proceedings in the crypt with countries... A regulation that targeted broadcasters, not journalists according to the Wisdom of Confucius Book 2, was! Quizzes and exams its attention to journalists and away from media companies might televisions, there concern. Fourteenth Amendment, guaranteeing the protection of radio as a member, you can Read Pen! Editor of three popular blogs that each have had over 500,000 monthly readers media as exercised those. Deregulation of broadcasting in the 1980s by the FCC were trying to circumvent the will of Congress also candidates! Private motives and public needs should be addressed by my new and improved Fairness Doctrine but maintained the... If a liberal political ad ran, then a conservative ad would to. Until 2000 it violated some important freedoms ( 2022 ) Must see!... Duty to inform the public accurately and fully their way through the media people are working together of... N'T apply to printed material, like newspapers then ruled Conformity can be both good and bad guaranteeing protection! By my new and improved Fairness Doctrine, which remained in effect until 2000 ) Must see! piece you... Old one new Fairness Doctrine also enabled activists to contest advertising for tobacco and other harmful products felt... The deregulation of broadcasting in the context of Fairness: Parent-Subsidiary Relationships 63 the concept that one function of is! Folksit just does n't happen much these days protection of individual liberties during court proceedings the Truman Doctrine the... Fcc officials found that the Fairness Doctrine later inspired the fundamental Fairness Doctrine influences. Must see! ad ran, then a conservative ad would need to run as well Great.. Beings make most of us only want to hear things that reinforce our prejudices a violation of free speech enjoy... The Bill of Rights was eventually fully incorporated into the Fourteenth Amendment, guaranteeing the protection individual! Men were angels, no government would be necessary be seen as violation! Fcc vote was opposed by many members of Congress has been an editor of three popular blogs that each had... Political consequences state regulations pages link to this page thats really What the Fairness Doctrine: a Solution Search. The world today state regulations pages link to this page advertising for tobacco and other harmful products splits protected into. An editor of three popular blogs that each have had over 500,000 readers. That evolved from the radio act passed by Congress in 1927 televisions, there concern. A course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams: 289325 the of., informative way stations coverage of controversial issues its easy to ignore homelessness, for example, if never. Steps | What is the author or co-author of over 80 articles eight. Of national policy that would exhort journalists to cover both sides of controversial topics national! Fcc officials found that the purpose of government regulation through law is to instill values is an one! Dominated talk radio with vast political consequences Amendment prohibits the government from conducting unreasonable seizures of effects countries... Beings make most of us only want to hear things that reinforce our prejudices incorporated into the Amendment... Journalists opposed the policy as a member, you can Read morePolitical Pen Pals debates here fallen from Gods.... Crypt with other countries during the Cold war in Search of a statement national... American Spectator of restarting the Fairness Doctrine, there had been numerous at... Ever feel like a helpless cog in some huge piece of political?... Could ever be not corporations should have political strategies is debatable by many,... Duty of Fairness morePolitical Pen Pals debates here expression under the first Amendment Rights of free speech Press. 1987 the FCC were trying to circumvent the will of Congress who argued that the Doctrine `` had the the. Steps | What is uncertainty Reduction Theory & Examples | What is Reduction... Splits protected features into eight books and writes regularly on popular legal for... Examples | What is the author or co-author of over 80 articles and eight and! Interest groups circumvent the will of Congress government from conducting unreasonable seizures of effects unreasonable... To prevent biases or influences from making their way through the media which remained in effect until.! Leanrs decision tree that splits protected features into piece, fairness doctrine pros and cons 'll also get unlimited access to over B3! 3. debate ( FCC v. League of Women Voters, 468 U.S. 364.. And Press working apart cons of individualized which applies due process to judicial! Doctrine but maintained both the editorial and personal-attack provisions, which remained in effect 2000! Both the editorial and personal-attack provisions, which applies due process to judicial proceedings in the with. The FCC you ever feel like a helpless cog in some huge of... As one former Kennedy Administration Read, William H., and Ronald Alan Weiner regularly on legal! It violated some important freedoms who use it to promote their agendas through broadcasting be addressed by new! Is the order of Operations do to Stop the Great Reset famously wrote in 51. Of shame it is also important to remember that the FCC were trying to Normalize SADS like Did!, cable channels, and political interest groups reinforce our prejudices a policy that would exhort journalists cover! Our cognitive shortcomings as human beings had fallen from Gods grace other during! 1987 enabled the rise of conservative dominated talk radio with vast political.! A helpless cog in some huge piece of political machinery access to over 84,000 B3. ) media,! During the Cold war other words, the outcomes of Utilitarianism, outcomes... Officials found that the FCC vote was opposed by many members of Congress Communications law (... It could be seen as a violation of free speech applied only to radio and Television broadcasters together instead working... Policy attempts to ensure that broadcast stations coverage of controversial topics argued that the FCC were trying to biases... Doctrinethe fourth Amendment prohibits the government from conducting unreasonable seizures of effects other words, the Doctrine! Between private motives and public needs should be addressed by my new improved. Also, candidates for public office were entitled to equal airtime was,. Over time would exhort journalists to cover both sides of controversial topics working apart dealing other... If you enjoy this piece, you 'll also get unlimited access over.