What happens if the media (or elements within it) lies to the American people? What does Sullivan v. NY Times tell us?

Media Regulation As the amount of media in the U.S. has increased (types and outlets), the amount of regulation of the media has decreased. Can you explain why?

Media Regulations: The Basics Overriding Principal “Congress shall make no law…abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press…” - 1 st Amendment Print media is exempt from most regulations. Electronic media is not. –Airwaves are public property leased out by the government. – Government control frequencies and channels to prevent jamming

Sample Regulations Print and Electronic Libel – False written statements or statements tending to call someone’s reputation into disrepute. NY Times v. Sullivan Slander – Untrue spoken statements that defame the character of a person. National Security censorship The government has been allowed to regulate news coverage of security sensitive issues. (case by case basis – Vietnam v. Operation Iraqi Freedom) Electronic only Equal Time Rule – Broadcast stations must sell airtime equally to all political candidates, if they sell any. Fairness Doctrine – ( ) Required broadcasters to be “fair” in their coverage of news events. Abolished because of the diversity that exist naturally due to the increase in media outlets.

Content Regulation Federal Communications Commission – The regulatory agency of electronic communications. Sample Regulations of public airwaves: Obscene content is completely banned. Indecent and profane content cannot be aired between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. H.R. 310 (Janet Jackson law) – To increase penalties for violations by television and radio broadcasters of the prohibitions against transmission of obscene, indecent, and profane material, and for other purposes (up to $500,000.00)

Business Regulation For years, anti-trust laws were used to prevent or break up media monopolies (Ex. “Ma Bell”) –Regulations actually decreased competition creating “baby Bells” in various telecommunications and media areas Telecommunications Act – deregulated whole segments of electronic media in hopes of stimulating competition.