'Fairness Doctrine' Off the Books

Image by Getty Images via @daylifeThe Fairness Doctrine, implemented by the Federal Communications Commission in 1949, but declared unconstitutional by the agency in 1987, this week was officially expunged from the agency's books, along with 82 other obsolete rules, The Hill blog reports.

FCC Chair Julius Genachowski offered good riddance to the policy, saying: "The Fairness Doctrine holds the potential to chill free speech and the free flow of ideas and was properly abandoned over two decades ago." The doctrine required broadcasters to set aside airtime to discuss controversial matters of public interest and present contrasting views in a way that the FCC considered fair and balanced.