I first became deeply familiar with the Fairness Doctrine during the whole Don Imus fiasco. For those who aren't aware, allow me to summarize for you.
Under the Reagan Administration, a policy of the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) known as the Fairness Doctrine was repealed in 1987.
The purpose of the Fairness Doctrine was to help ensure that the coverage of all controversial issues by a broadcast station was balanced and fair (not Fox News fair & balanced).
It ran parallel to Section 315 of the Communications Act of 1937 which required stations to offer an equal opportunity to all legally qualified political candidates for any office if another candidate for the same office had been allowed to use that station.
The repeal of the Fairness Doctrine meant stations could now broadcast the content of editorial commentary without being required to present opposing views.From there, the regular broadcast rantings of the Angry White Male was born ala Rush Limbaugh et. al.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, I am all for anyone saying whatever it is they want to say. However... MORE