e debate including this third candidate was not a show of Fairness, but rather more of an instance of the networks giving in to pressure.
Since many people mistake the Fairness DoctrineÆs intent, they often assume what is meant by it. Therefore, community outrage and protest may occur when a station has instituted a program schedule that includes a program espousing extreme views, yet under the First Amendment, such opinions are allowed to be heard. It is then that opposing views come in to the stations a demand equal time and request it be given them free. The true intent of the Doctrine was merely to focus on political issues and candidate debate. Networks were not allowed to endorse one candidate over the other and therefore give them free airtime or only focus on one candidateÆs ads.
One of the most important, or at least visibly viewed because of his celebrate, challengers to this issue was Talk Show Radio Host Rush Limbaugh in 1994. ôItÆs the latest attempt by the United States Congress to legislate against me, and talk radio hosts." Remarked Limbaugh (Limbaugh Letter, 1993). The truth of the matter shows
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