<P> The fairness doctrine of the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC), introduced in 1949, was a policy that required the holders of broadcast licenses both to present controversial issues of public importance and to do so in a manner that was--in the FCC's view--honest, equitable, and balanced . The FCC eliminated the policy in 1987 and removed the rule that implemented the policy from the Federal Register in August 2011 . </P> <P> The fairness doctrine had two basic elements: It required broadcasters to devote some of their airtime to discussing controversial matters of public interest, and to air contrasting views regarding those matters . Stations were given wide latitude as to how to provide contrasting views: It could be done through news segments, public affairs shows, or editorials . The doctrine did not require equal time for opposing views but required that contrasting viewpoints be presented . The demise of this FCC rule has been considered by some to be a contributing factor for the rising level of party polarization in the United States . </P> <P> The main agenda for the doctrine was to ensure that viewers were exposed to a diversity of viewpoints . In 1969 the United States Supreme Court upheld the FCC's general right to enforce the fairness doctrine where channels were limited . But the courts did not rule that the FCC was obliged to do so . The courts reasoned that the scarcity of the broadcast spectrum, which limited the opportunity for access to the airwaves, created a need for the doctrine . </P> <P> The fairness doctrine is not the same as the equal - time rule . The fairness doctrine deals with discussion of controversial issues, while the equal - time rule deals only with political candidates . </P>

The main intention of the fairness doctrine was to
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