Did America have free speech from 1915 - 1987?

Question

The Fairness doctrine was lifted by President Reagan in 1987 without judicial review, and, support of Congress. So, there was no free speech in America for much of the 20th century with the Fairness doctrine in place? By the way, the Fairness Doctrine was created with the advent of broadcast radio.

Answer 1

Actually broadcast radio came into being in 1920. From there companies saw the advantage of radio in getting out a message to masses of people quickly and relatively inexpensively. As companies like to do there were some who wanted to dominate the world of news and propaganda on the radio. So the fairness doctrine was imposed to make it a more even playing field for all political view points. Reagan's lifting of the fairness doctrine simply plays into the hands of those whom the conservatives love, the corporations who simply want it their way and no other. Fortunately, although not compelled to do so, most stations still give the opponents time to give their side of the story. It is erroding away in some areas but others it is still practiced. Don't expect any Republican president to restore it any time soon. Any Democrat may but even then it would be a bit of a surprise to see it reinstated as they have their corporate sponsors too. Ideally Congress needs to do something and we can make that happen. They represent us. So we need to write to them and let them know that the fairness doctrine needs to be made a law by Congress.

Answer 2

So, that does not make it right in today's world. Right now the Fairness doctrine is to be used to silence talk radio and nothing else. If it applied to all broadcast media including newspapers (new broadcast by paper) then by all means bring it back and watch the public outcry for free speech.

Answer 3

There was free speech everywhere but on radio and TV. Good riddance to the Fairness Doctrine.

Ask your favorite candidate for office next year how they would vote on any proposal to bring it back. The answer will tell you a lot about how they view genuine free speech.

Answer 4

Jesus read a history book. Roosevelt established the Office of Censorship in 1941. In fact, all news articles having to do with the war had to be approved by the military before submitted.

Answer 5

No.
Women were only allowed to vote in 1920 and the District of Columbia in 1970. In that sense, then freedom of speech ws nonexistent.

Answer 6

Yes, more then today. you may ask Professor Francisco Gil-White from www.tenc.net/ , for example.