In practice, this meant that broadcasters who aired commentary on one side of an issue would then make sure that the other point of view was also represented. Though there was no rule that equal time must be afforded, if you presented one side, you had to at least make space for opposing perspectives. This rule was repealed in 1987 by the Reagan administration, which tried to deregulate just about everything under the sun. There has recently been some interest in reviving it because people believe—correctly—that the end of the fairness doctrine led to a more polarized media landscape and
...more
