fairness doctrine

noun

: a tenet of licensed broadcasting that ensures a reasonable opportunity for the airing of conflicting viewpoints on controversial issues

Examples of fairness doctrine in a Sentence

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In the television era, the fairness doctrine laid that groundwork. — Jaron Lanier, WIRED, 13 Feb. 2024 Trump, though, appeared to be conflating the FCC‘s equal time rule with the fairness doctrine. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2025 His chairman, Mark Fowler, repealed the fairness doctrine, which required broadcasters to give opposing views on controversial topics. — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 9 July 2025 In 1987, the FCC also abolished the fairness doctrine, which required broadcasters to provide differing viewpoints when covering issues of public importance. — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 19 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fairness doctrine

Word History

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of fairness doctrine was in 1952

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fairness

fairness doctrine

fairntickle

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Style

“Fairness doctrine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fairness%20doctrine. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Legal Definition

fairness doctrine

noun

: a doctrine requiring broadcasters to provide an opportunity for response to personal attacks aired by the broadcaster and especially for the airing of conflicting viewpoints on controversial issues

fairness doctrine

noun

Examples of fairness doctrine in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Legal Definition

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