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HR 4324 98th Congress House

A bill to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to preserve the principles of the Federal Communications Commission's personal attack and political editorial rules through the 1984 election campaign,…

Official title: A bill to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to preserve the principles of the Federal Communications Commission's personal attack and political editorial ru… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: A bill to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to preserve the principles of the Federal Communications Commission's personal attack and political editorial rules through the 1984 election campaign, and for other purposes.

Introduced: November 17, 1983 See on congress.gov
Government Operations and Politics Administrative procedureCommunications and BroadcastingCongressional electionsFairness doctrine
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Federal Communications CommissionIndependent regulatory commissionsPresidential electionsPresidents and Vice PresidentsRadio broadcastingRadio programsTelevisionTelevision programsVoting
This bill died when the 98th Congress ended
It never became law before the 98th Congress (1983–1984) 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 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Nov 14, 1983
Referred to Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Consumer Protection and Finance.
Nov 8, 1983
Referred to House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Nov 8, 1983
Introduced in House
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 Latest action November 14, 1983

Referred to Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Consumer Protection and Finance.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require a broadcast licensee to provide any person whose personal qualities are attacked during the presentation of views in a broadcast on a controversial issue of public importance with: (1) notification of the time, date, and identification of the broadcast; (2) a script or tape of the attack; and (3) an offer of a reasonable opportunity to respond over the licensee's facilities. Excludes from such requirement any attack: (1) on a foreign group or foreign public figure; (2) made by a legally qualified candidate for public office during the use of a broadcast station; (3) made by such a candidate on another such candidate; or (4) made on a bona fide news show.

Requires any licensee which endorses or opposes any candidate in an editorial to transmit to the opposing candidates (in the case of an endorsing editorial) or to the candidate (in the case of an opposing editorial): (1) notification of the date and time of the editorial; (2) a script or tape of the editorial; and (3) an offer of a reasonable opportunity to respond over the licensee's facilities.

Terminates the application of this Act on December 31, 1984. Suspends the personal attack rule and the political editorial rule of the Federal Communications Commission until after such date. Prohibits the Commission from repealing or modifying such rules after October 31, 1983, and before January 1, 1985. Voids any such action taken by the Commission after October 31, 1983, and before enactment of this Act. Allows the Commission to repeal or modify such rules beginning on January 1, 1985, provided that no repeal or modification shall become effective until 120 days of continuous session of Congress after it is published as final.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 4324: A bill to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to preserve the principles of the Federal Communications Commission's personal attack and political editorial rules through the 1984 election campaign, and for other purposes.. 98th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/98-HR-4324/
MLA
"H.R. 4324: A bill to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to preserve the principles of the Federal Communications Commission's personal attack and political editorial rules through the 1984 election campaign, and for other purposes.." 98th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/98-HR-4324/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 4324, 98th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/98-HR-4324/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 4324: A bill to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to preserve the principles of the Federal Communications Commission's personal attack and political editorial rules through the 1984 election campaign, and for other purposes.](https://openamerica.io/bill/98-HR-4324/)
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