Fairness doctrine is related to
(A) political advertising
(B) corrective advertising
(C) non-corrective advertising
(D) non-business advertising
Correct Ans: (B)
Explanation:
The Fairness Doctrine directly relates to corrective advertising in the context of mass media law and ethics. The doctrine, originally introduced by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States, required broadcasters to present controversial public issues in a balanced and fair manner.
When media organizations misrepresented facts or aired misleading content, the Fairness Doctrine supported corrective measures. These measures often included corrective advertising, which required broadcasters to air content that corrected false or biased information previously shared. In essence, it promoted media accountability and public trust.
Corrective advertising involves explicitly correcting earlier misleading or false claims. While the Fairness Doctrine did not only apply to advertising, it set the foundation for requiring fairness and balance in all forms of communication, including commercial and political messages.
Let’s now evaluate the incorrect options. Political advertising, though regulated separately, was only indirectly influenced by the doctrine. The Fairness Doctrine ensured equal opportunities for opposing views but didn’t specifically create rules for political ad content. Non-corrective advertising involves typical ads that don’t address previous errors, and non-business advertising refers to public service or non-commercial messages, which don’t reflect the doctrine’s corrective goals.
In contrast, corrective advertising clearly aligns with the doctrine’s purpose. It ensures the audience receives accurate, fair, and complete information. Broadcasters had to fix distortions or inaccuracies to serve the public interest, which remained the core goal of the doctrine.
Therefore, the Fairness Doctrine strongly connects to corrective advertising, reinforcing the media’s responsibility to correct misinformation and present balanced content to the public.
