BEA2015

In 1949 the Federal Communications Commission put in place a requirement that broadcasters offer equal opportunities for controversial issues presented on their station. Eventually that became known as the “Fairness Doctrine.” Furthermore, in 1976 the FCC said that stations had an obligation to present controversial issues. However, by the early 1980s the Commission began to back track their support of the Fairness Doctrine because of various court decisions and the deregulation environment. Recently the FCC removed from the books any mention of the Fairness Doctrine. In a panel last year some audience members expressed support for the Fairness Doctrine and it was felt that more time should be spent discussing government involvement in content regulation and whether the return of any kind of Fairness regulation might be feasible.
Moderator: Lionel Grady, Southern Utah University
Panelists: David Spiceland, Appalachian State University
Richard Vogel, Lincoln Memorial University
Respondent: Frank A. Aycock, Appalachian State University