Zapple doctrine

proper noun

An extension of the fairness doctrine to political candidates' spokespeople and supporters, mandating that, if one candidate's supporters were allowed to buy airtime, then supporters of opposing candidates should have the opportunity to buy a comparable amount of airtime for their candidates.

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Meanings

proper nounthe Zapple doctrine
  1. UShistoricallawAn extension of the fairness doctrine to political candidates' spokespeople and supporters, mandating that, if one candidate's supporters were allowed to buy airtime, then supporters of opposing candidates should have the opportunity to buy a comparable amount of airtime for their candidates.

Origin

Named after U.S. Senate Commerce Committee counselor Nicholas Zapple.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

Zapple doctrine. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Zapple%20doctrine

MLA

“Zapple doctrine.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Zapple%20doctrine. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Zapple doctrine,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Zapple%20doctrine.

Source: Zapple doctrine on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.