fairness doctrine

proper noun

A policy of the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC), introduced in 1949 and abolished in 1987, requiring the holders of broadcast licenses (i) to present controversial issues of public importance and (ii) to do so in an honest, equitable and balanced manner.

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Meanings

proper nounthe fairness doctrine
  1. UShistoricalbroadcastingA policy of the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC), introduced in 1949 and abolished in 1987, requiring the holders of broadcast licenses (i) to present controversial issues of public importance and (ii) to do so in an honest, equitable and balanced manner.
Cite this entry
APA

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

MLA

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

Chicago

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

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