👩🏾‍⚖️ap us government review

Fairness Doctrine

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2027 exam
Verified for the 2027 examWritten by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025

Definition

A Federal Communications Commission policy, adopted in 1949 and upheld by the Supreme Court in Red Lion Broadcasting Co. v. FCC (1969), required licensed radio and television stations to present contrasting viewpoints on matters of public importance and provide reasonable opportunity for opposing perspectives. Its repeal in 1987 reshaped regulation of broadcast speech and influenced ongoing First Amendment debates about government oversight of the electronic media.

AP course connection

Topic 5.12: 5.12 The Media

Unit 5