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HR 1934 100th Congress House

Fairness in Broadcasting Act of 1987

Official title: A bill to clarify the congressional intent concerning, and to codify, certain requirements of the Communications Act of 1934 that ensure that broadcasters affo… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: A bill to clarify the congressional intent concerning, and to codify, certain requirements of the Communications Act of 1934 that ensure that broadcasters afford reasonable opportunity for the discussion of conflicting views on issues of public importance.

Introduced: May 7, 1987 See on congress.gov
Government Operations and Politics BroadcastingCivil Rights and LibertiesCommunications and BroadcastingFairness doctrine
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Freedom of speechLicensesRadio broadcastingRadio in politicsTelevisionTelevision in politics
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This bill died when the 100th Congress ended
It never became law before the 100th Congress (1987–1988) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 18 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jun 3, 1987
Other Measure S.742 Passed House in Lieu.
Jun 3, 1987
Laid on Table in House by Voice Vote.
Jun 3, 1987
Passed House by Yea-Nay Vote: 302 - 102 (Record Vote No: 164).
Jun 3, 1987
Passed/agreed to in House: Passed House by Yea-Nay Vote: 302 - 102 (Record Vote No: 164).
Jun 3, 1987
Called up by House by Rule.
Jun 3, 1987
Rule Passed House.
May 28, 1987
Rules Committee Resolution H.Res.179 Reported to House.
May 28, 1987
Committee on Rules Granted an Open Rule Providing One Hour of General Debate.
May 27, 1987
Placed on Union Calendar No: 75.
May 27, 1987
Reported to House by House Committee on Energy and Commerce. Report No: 100-108.
May 13, 1987
Ordered to be Reported.
May 13, 1987
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
May 7, 1987
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee.
May 7, 1987
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Apr 7, 1987
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Apr 7, 1987
Referred to Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Finance.
Apr 2, 1987
Referred to House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Apr 2, 1987
Introduced in House
 Amendments to this bill 1

Amendments propose changes to this bill. Members vote on amendments separately before the final bill vote. An agreed amendment becomes part of the bill; a failed amendment does not.

1 failed

AmendmentSponsorPurposeStatusLatest action
HAMDT 183 – An amendment to exempt radio broadcasters from the provisions of the Fairness Doctrine. Failed Jun 3, 1987
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 Latest action June 3, 1987

Other Measure S.742 Passed House in Lieu.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Fairness in Broadcasting Act of 1987 - Expresses the findings of the Congress that the Fairness Doctrine: (1) fairly reflects the statutory obligations of broadcasters; (2) received statutory approval from the Congress in 1959; and (3) reasonably balances first amendment rights.

Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require broadcast licensees to provide a reasonable opportunity for the discussion of conflicting views on issues of public importance. Requires enforcement and application of such requirement to be consistent with the rules and policies of the Federal Communications Commission in effect on January 1, 1987.

 Related & companion bills 2
  • S 742 Identical bill Fairness in Broadcasting Act of 1987
  • HRES 179 Procedurally related A resolution providing for the consideration of the bill (H.R. 1934) to clarify the congressional intent concerning, an…
 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 6
All 6 Democratic 3
CRANE, PHILIP
· May 27, 1987
LIPINSKI, WILLIAM
· May 7, 1987
 D
Markey, Edward J.
Massachusetts · Apr 2, 1987
 D
Schumer, Charles E.
New York · Apr 2, 1987
STENHOLM, CHARLES
· Apr 2, 1987
 D
Wyden, Ron
Oregon · Apr 2, 1987
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 1934: Fairness in Broadcasting Act of 1987. 100th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/100-HR-1934/
MLA
"H.R. 1934: Fairness in Broadcasting Act of 1987." 100th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/100-HR-1934/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 1934, 100th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/100-HR-1934/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 1934: Fairness in Broadcasting Act of 1987](https://openamerica.io/bill/100-HR-1934/)
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