Free Custom «Fairness doctrine» Essay Paper

Fairness Doctrine as the name suggests is a system of the Federal Communication Commission (FCC).The system was introduced in the year 1949. The reason for this   policy was in order to convey conditions to the production and owner of broadcast license to arrive in a clear way the disputed issues. The policy obliged the holders to circulate in a fair and reliable way. It had its positive and negative effects. The effects were noted during and after it were repealed.

Purpose of the fairness doctrine

The main intention of the fairness doctrine was to ensure display of diverse viewpoints. The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) stated that the overriding public interest was served in a immensely popular process only through people’s ability in expressing their views freely. That required that people try expositions of differing positions taken by powerful groups and different individuals concerning various topics. 

The policy was to abolish the editorialized broadcasting that only dealt with one sided views. That is, it ensured that the biased opinions were not given a higher rank as was the case. Therefore, each and every licensee was obliged to devote in a fair way and practical mixture of their production or airtime to the study and analysis of controversial issues of local authority giving an opportunity for different views and not only biased opinions.

 On the other hand, the broadcaster was obliged to be fair in that the broadcaster must affirmatively make significant facilities which are available for the purpose of dissemination of majorly contrasting viewpoints. This is mostly in regard to the topic of discussion. The contrasting views and opinions were to be accommodated with respect to the disputed issues presented. Generally, they had an affirmative duty to promote and implement the transmission of both or rather all sided of their obligation. This is in order to make available on request opportunities for communication and dissemination of opposing views.

Fairness doctrine repealed

The Federal Communication Commission formally voted to repeal the language that implemented the fairness doctrine in August 22, 2011.Apart from the fairness doctrine there was also removal of more than eighty other rules and regulations that were in the Federal register. This was affected due to the White house executive order that majorly gave directions for the government wide statement of regulations to give away with unnecessary rules and regulations that were not favorable enough to the citizens.

Political impacts of the repeal

Due to the repeal of the fairness doctrine, the number of stations broadcasting political news increased. This is because the kind of dogmatic broadcasting has been made more visible and the citizens and viewers are able to provide one-side opinions. Since the radio hosts are now available to publicly identify with a particular ideology, there has been made a presentation of some opinionated talk shows which are incredibly significantly much different than other types of informational media.

Apart from that, there has been an increase in the number of listeners who in this case are interested in the lecture format presented on local radio opposed to when there was the fairness doctrine. As a result of the repeal the Federal Communication Commission licenses gave out more broadcasting, similarly there being an increase in the market demand for the radio station. The repeal of the fairness doctrine generally led to increase and long term success of the political talk radio proper enough to the room which allowed the viewers to identify with an ideology therefore make one- sided opinion.

Conclusion

There is a need for the reinstatement of the fairness doctrine .This is because the talk radio business model represents in a large extent the success of an industry which as a product makes profit by peddling public scandal and thus fueling the polarization. It so majorly promotes hatred and alienation which is not a good thing. Therefore the fairness doctrine should be reinstated in order for the political talk shows to maintain balance.