Tag: public good

Public Disinterest

Radio airwaves were not always open to the broadcasting of divisive opinions. This is the background of how the airwaves transformed from a public good to a place that feeds hatred.

In 1974 the FCC called the fairness doctrine “the single most important requirement of operation in the public interest.”

In filing their applications for license renewal, stations had to provide detailed information on their efforts to seek out and address issues of concern to the community. The program listings became the basis for determining whether licenses should be renewed.

I had no idea this was the history of our airwaves. Interesting context for the rise of Rush Limbaugh though.