Many don't know of the fairness doctrine in today's society, it is a current topic and issue that is worth noting. The fairness doctrine was instituted back in 1949 by the Federal Communication Commission (FCC). In that statute, broadcast stations were not only required to present controversial public topics but were required by this statute to present all sides of a controversial subject. The concept was not held very well by these stations for several reasons.

1st amendment and freedom of speech was the main infraction that brought out the controversy. The federal government was essentially telling people what they HAD to present. In typical Federal Government fashion the statute was given a deceptively soft - a warm and fuzzy title. "If everybody played fair this world would be a better place." The only way to be fair is to allow each person the same freedoms, not the same restrictions.

This video is a good presentation of how Ezra Taft Benson responded to this issue and how our current president deals with the issue. Thankfully the wording was recently removed from the FCC statute, but there are those in power today that would like to see it reinstated and strengthened. For those interested in free speech I encourage watching this, its short.


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