On August 1, 1988, just one year after the FCC abolished the Fairness Doctrine, Rush Limbaugh launched his radio broadcast into national syndication with 56 radio stations. The show was co-owned and syndicated by Edward F. McLaughlin’s EFM Media Management, with McLaughlin being former …
Rush LimbaughEdward F. McLaughlinEFM Media ManagementABC Radio Networkmedia-infrastructureconservative-mediatalk-radiopartisan-messagingcultural-warfare
On August 4, 1987, the Federal Communications Commission voted 4-0 to abolish the Fairness Doctrine, a 1949 policy requiring broadcast license holders to present controversial issues of public importance in a manner that fairly reflected differing viewpoints. The elimination of this fundamental …
Federal Communications CommissionMark S. FowlerRonald ReaganRobert BorkAntonin Scaliamedia-infrastructureregulatory-capturefairness-doctrinepartisan-mediafcc+1 more
On October 30, 1984, President Ronald Reagan signed the Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984, fundamentally deregulating the cable television industry and setting the stage for massive media consolidation. Written and championed by conservative Senator Barry Goldwater of Arizona, the act amended …
Ronald ReaganBarry GoldwaterFederal Communications CommissionCable industrymedia-deregulationcorporate-consolidationregulatory-capturereagan-administrationmedia-infrastructure