Stuff You Should Know How the Fairness Doctrine Worked
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Jul 4, 2019 The Fairness Doctrine once mandated broadcasters to present contrasting political opinions. Explore its historical context and the debates surrounding media regulation today. Discover how this doctrine influenced political discourse and the media landscape, and reflect on the challenges of free speech versus public interest. Listen as the hosts humorously ponder the implications of the doctrine on their own content. Plus, enjoy a lively discussion about the uniqueness of voices, akin to fingerprints, highlighting audience engagement.
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First Radio Broadcast
- Radio became the primary source of news and information dissemination in the early 20th century, surpassing newspapers.
- The first commercial radio broadcast in November 1920, from KDKA in Pittsburgh, covered the presidential election results.
Radio Act of 1912
- The Radio Act of 1912, prompted by the Titanic disaster, introduced spectrum allocation and licensing.
- The government started regulating radio frequencies, and the act was a foundation of what would later become the Fairness Doctrine.
Radio Act of 1927
- The Radio Act of 1927 established the Radio Commission, which had the power to revoke licenses and enforce spectrum allocation.
- This act addressed the lack of regulation in the prior Radio Act of 1912 and aimed to organize broadcasting.