Page 56 - Historical Dictionary of Political Communication in the United States
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RULE
EQUAL TIME
to purchase airtime at the same price as a competing candidate or for free if no
price was charged. The courts have also upheld an FCC ruling that if broad-
casters themselves seek political office, equal airtime must be given to their
opponents for free. This has usually resulted in broadcaster candidates going off
the air during an election campaign.
SOURCES: Hugh Cater Donahue, The Battle to Control Broadcast News, 1989; Wayne
Overbeck, Major Principles of Media Law, 1997-1998.
Marc Edge
