Equal-time rule

The equal-time rule specifies that U.S. radio and television broadcast stations must provide an equivalent opportunity to any opposing political candidates who request it. This means, for example, that if a station gives one free minute to a candidate on the prime time, it must do the same for another candidate.

However, there are four exceptions: if the air-time was in a documentary, bona fide news interview, scheduled newscast or an on-the-spot news event the equal-time rule is not valid. Since 1983, political debates not hosted by the media station are considered news events, thus may include only major-party candidates without having to offer air time to minor-party or independent candidates. Talk shows and other regular news programming from syndicators, such as Entertainment Tonight, are declared exempt from the rule by the FCC on a case-on-case basis.^[1]

This rule originated in § 18 of the Radio Act of 1927.^[2] It was later superseded by the Communications Act of 1934, where the Equal Time Rule is codified as § 315(a) from censoring campaign ads. A related provision, in § 315(b), requires that broadcasters offer time to candidates at the same rate as their "most favored advertiser".^{[citation needed]}

The rule was created because the FCC thought the stations could easily manipulate the outcome of the elections.^{[citation needed]}

The Equal Time rule should not be confused with the now defunct Fairness Doctrine, which dealt with presenting balanced points of view on matters of public importance.

Sources

• Communications Act of 1934, § 315; codified at 47 U.S.C. § 315
• Radio Act of 1927

References

External links

• Equal Time Rule in The Museum of Broadcast Communications
• Radio and TV Stations Required to Give Equal Time in Issues of Democracy
• MSN Encarta - Equal Time Rule (Archived 2009-10-31)