Social Sciences and History / Unit 9 SSH 0817 short lesson, about 20 seconds
The FCC, Equal Time, and the Fairness Doctrine's End
Captions available
The idea
Press freedom is not absolute: no libel in print, no slander in speech, no troop movements or undercover operatives. The Federal Communications Commission fines or revokes licenses; broadcasts may not be obscene, indecency airs only late at night, and candidates get equal time.
In practice
The fairness doctrine, nineteen forty-nine, now defunct.
Where people slip
Sunshine laws open documents; reporter's privilege is not complete.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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