Is it time to return to the rules of the "Fairness Doctrine"

The FCC "Fairness Doctrine" did not ensure equal time to opposing viewpoints, it simply ensured that those viewpoints were presented. It may seem like a good idea on the surface, but a significant reason for elimination of the rule, was the advent of competing media, such as cable television. If the FCC were to reintroduce a doctrine to police radio and television broadcasters, they would be at a competitive disadvantage with the internet, as well as cable television, where such doctrines do not exist. Customers would simply choose a different media form. Deregulation is the best way to ensure that all viewpoints are represented, because it allows media owners to compete for customers.

It is also important to note that newspapers have no such regulatory agency, largely because competing newspapers were so prolific at one time, that it was considered unnecessary for a government agency to regulate them as monopolies of information. The FCC's role in regulating early radio and television stations was largely justified on the basis of limited options existing for the customer. Since the roles are now reversed, with multiple forms of electronic media competing, and very few newspapers (many have a monopoly in their respective markets), the same logic in the early days of the FCC would dictate that newspapers be regulated, not radio, television, or the internet.

Yes!