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HR 315 101th Congress House

Fairness in Broadcasting Act of 1989

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

Official title: 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: January 3, 1989 See on congress.gov
Government Operations and Politics BroadcastingFairness doctrineFreedom of speechLicenses
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Radio in politicsTelevision in politics
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This bill died when the 101st Congress ended
It never became law before the 101st Congress (1989–1990) 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 11 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jul 19, 1989
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 106.
Jul 19, 1989
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 101-153.
Jun 29, 1989
Mr. Markey asked unanimous consent that the Committee on Energy and Commerce have until 12:00 p.m. on July 10 to file a report on H.R. 315. Agreed to without objection.
Apr 11, 1989
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Apr 11, 1989
Ordered to be Reported (Amended).
Apr 5, 1989
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended).
Apr 5, 1989
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Feb 9, 1989
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Feb 6, 1989
Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Finance.
Jan 3, 1989
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Jan 3, 1989
Introduced in House
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 Latest action July 19, 1989

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 106.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Fairness in Broadcasting Act of 1989 - 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 1
  • S 577 Related bill Fairness in Broadcasting Act of 1989
 Bill text 2 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 2
All 2 Democratic 2
D
Pallone, Frank
New Jersey · Apr 10, 1989
 D
Markey, Edward J.
Massachusetts · Jan 3, 1989
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 315: Fairness in Broadcasting Act of 1989. 101st Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-315/
MLA
"H.R. 315: Fairness in Broadcasting Act of 1989." 101st Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-315/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 315, 101st Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-315/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 315: Fairness in Broadcasting Act of 1989](https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-315/)
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