Freedom of Speech 1 - Fairness Doctrine 0 ...

FCC Strikes Fairness Doctrine From Fed Rulebook

Removes personal attack and free response corollaries, 83 other media-related rules that FCC says are unnecessary

By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 8/22/2011 2:00:00 PM

The FCC said Monday it has officially removed the Fairness Doctrine from its rulebook, along with the doctrine's personal attack and free response corollaries, plus 83 other media-related rules the FCC says are no longer needed. It will release the item on Wednesday after a 48-hour notice period, according to a spokesman, but announced the move Monday, which does not require a vote by the commissioners.

The FCC has not enforced the doctrine, which required broadcasters to affirmatively seek out opposing viewpoints on controversial issues, in almost a quarter century, but it continued to cast a shadow over the agency from the viewpoint of many Republicans, broadcasters (particularly religious broadcasters) and others concerned about the speech regulation implications of its return.

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