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Please note!
This fact brief was originally published as an experiment to test the concepts behind fact briefs.
Readers should be aware that while there is still a lot of useful information in fact briefs like this one, not all of them reflect Gigafact's current methods and standards for fact briefs. If you come across any that you feel are out of date, don't hesitate to contact us at support@gigafact.org.

Do broadcasting laws require that equal air time be given to all candidates?

By Allegra Taylor
NO

The equal-time rule does not require broadcasters to devote equal air-time to opposing political candidates. It does require them to offer the candidates an equal opportunity to purchase air-time (i.e., advertising) at an equal rate. The rule does not apply to documentaries, news interviews, scheduled newscasts, and on-the-spot news interviews.

The equal-time rule is often confused with the Federal Communications Commission fairness doctrine, a policy that required radio and television broadcasters to devote equal airtime to opposing viewpoints. It was effective from 1949 to 1987.

Both rules were made with respect to over-the-air radio and tv, not to cable, satellite or Internet-based services.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR
Between 2020 and 2022, under close editorial supervision, Gigafact contracted a group of freelance writers and editors to test the concepts for fact briefs and provide inputs to our software development process. We call this effort Gigafact Foundry. Over the course of these two years, Gigafact Foundry writers published over 1500 fact briefs in response to claims they found online. Their important work forms the basis of Gigafact formats and editorial guidelines, and is available to the public on Gigafact.org. Readers should be aware that while there is still a lot of relevant information to be found, not all fact briefs produced by Gigafact Foundry reflect Gigafact's current methods and standards for fact briefs. If you come across any that you feel are out of date and need to be looked at with fresh eyes, don't hesitate to contact us at support@gigafact.org.
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