"Equal Opportunities" and "Fairness" in Broadcast Coverage of Politics

Abstract

Government regulation of political broadcasting is grounded in the laudable goals of providing candidates for office with "equal opportunities" to inform the citizenry via the public airwaves and of promoting general "fair ness" in broadcast coverage of controversial political issues. Congress has mandated these principles, and the courts have played some role in interpreting them. But day-to-day problems of implementation and clarification fall on the Federal Communications Commission. A review of FCC de cisions suggests that enforcement and interpretation of the "equal opportunities" requirements has created uncertainty among candidates and broadcasters alike and has discouraged bold and controversial political broadcasting. In attempts to apply the "fairness" principle to broadcast coverage of poli tics, the FCC's piecemeal approach has resulted in charges of partisan decision making, of over-deference to broad casters, and of interfering with broadcast journalism.