MMC 4200 Exam 3 COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
\.Why is broadcasting regulated? - ANSWERS✔-there were a limited number of
frequencies available for broadcasters
\.What are the duties and powers of the FCC under the Communications Act of
1934? - ANSWERS✔-FCC is a semi-independent federal agency. Responsibilities
include regulating all technologies using the electromagnetic spectrum such as
radio, tv, cable, and satellite communications as well as wireline and wireless
telephone companies. They enforce the rules of the FCC, granting licenses for
various communication services, resolving disputes and ensuring that spectrum
users comply with commission regulation. Has the power to create regulations.
Power to punish by fines.
\.How and why did the decisions in the Red Lion and the Tornillo cases differ -
ANSWERS✔-Tornillo case relates to printed media and Red Lion to broadcast. The
effect of the two cases is that there is no right to reply to negative statements
about politicians in the print media because the determination of what goes into
the media is the role of the editor. On the other hand there is a right to reply to
criticisms in the broadcast media because of the limited spectrum.
\.What is the "fairness doctrine"? Who dumped the fairness doctrine? and when
was it dumped? - ANSWERS✔-Must air controversial issues and stations must
allow opposing viewpoints to be heard. In 1987 FCC changed its rules in that the
fairness doctrine violated broadcasters' First Amendment rights.
,\.What is the Zapple Rule? Political Editorial Rule? What is the Personal Attack
Rule? - ANSWERS✔-Political Editorial rule is an FCC rule, originally part of the
fairness doctrine, provided that broadcasters had to offer reply time if the
honesty, character, or integrity of an identified person or group was attacked
during the discussion of a controversial issue of public importance. The
broadcaster had to provide a script, tape or accurate summary to the person
attacked who could use the station free of charge. The District Court of Columbia
ordered the FCC to abolish the rule along with the Political Editorial rule in 2000
\.What is the status of each of these rules? - ANSWERS✔-Both were abolished and
only Zapple remains.
\.What are the Equal Opportunities Rule and Reasonable Access Rule? Where are
they provided for? - ANSWERS✔-For broadcasting and political candidates. Equal
opportunity- being given the same opportunity to reach approximately the same
number and type of people as a candidate's opponent did.
Reasonable access- allow reasonable access and reasonable amounts of time for
use of a broadcasting station by a legally qualified candidate.
A. The Reasonable Access Rule gives legally qualified federal candidates the right
to
purchase air time from radio and TV stations during their campaign. Candidates
for
state and local office have no statutory right to purchase time on broadcast
stations. (See Communications Act s. 312 (a)(7).
The Equal Opportunity Rule requires broadcast stations that have sold air time to
, one candidate for public office to provide all candidates for that office an
opportunity
to purchase comparable air time at a comparable rate. Equal opportunity also
applies to free air time made available to candidates - unless that free air time
falls
within one of the broadly interpreted "bona fide news story or events" exceptions
to
the rule. Those exceptions are:
1. Bona fide newscast;
2. Bona fide news interview;
3. Bona fide news documentary (if the appearance of the candidate is incidental
to the presentation of the subject or subjects covered by the news
documentary);
4. On-the-spot coverage of a bona fide news event(including political
conventions, debates, etc.). (see Communications Act s. 315).
\.What does it mean to be a "legally qualified" political candidate under the equal
opportunities rule? - ANSWERS✔-Someone who publicly announced a bid for
office, has his or her name on the ballot or is a serious write-in candidate.
\.What is the difference between a contribution and an expenditure? -
ANSWERS✔-Contributions- direct payment of money. Expenditures- advocacy of a
particular candidate through mediums. Candidate has no knowledge of advocacy
medium until it is dispersed.
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
\.Why is broadcasting regulated? - ANSWERS✔-there were a limited number of
frequencies available for broadcasters
\.What are the duties and powers of the FCC under the Communications Act of
1934? - ANSWERS✔-FCC is a semi-independent federal agency. Responsibilities
include regulating all technologies using the electromagnetic spectrum such as
radio, tv, cable, and satellite communications as well as wireline and wireless
telephone companies. They enforce the rules of the FCC, granting licenses for
various communication services, resolving disputes and ensuring that spectrum
users comply with commission regulation. Has the power to create regulations.
Power to punish by fines.
\.How and why did the decisions in the Red Lion and the Tornillo cases differ -
ANSWERS✔-Tornillo case relates to printed media and Red Lion to broadcast. The
effect of the two cases is that there is no right to reply to negative statements
about politicians in the print media because the determination of what goes into
the media is the role of the editor. On the other hand there is a right to reply to
criticisms in the broadcast media because of the limited spectrum.
\.What is the "fairness doctrine"? Who dumped the fairness doctrine? and when
was it dumped? - ANSWERS✔-Must air controversial issues and stations must
allow opposing viewpoints to be heard. In 1987 FCC changed its rules in that the
fairness doctrine violated broadcasters' First Amendment rights.
,\.What is the Zapple Rule? Political Editorial Rule? What is the Personal Attack
Rule? - ANSWERS✔-Political Editorial rule is an FCC rule, originally part of the
fairness doctrine, provided that broadcasters had to offer reply time if the
honesty, character, or integrity of an identified person or group was attacked
during the discussion of a controversial issue of public importance. The
broadcaster had to provide a script, tape or accurate summary to the person
attacked who could use the station free of charge. The District Court of Columbia
ordered the FCC to abolish the rule along with the Political Editorial rule in 2000
\.What is the status of each of these rules? - ANSWERS✔-Both were abolished and
only Zapple remains.
\.What are the Equal Opportunities Rule and Reasonable Access Rule? Where are
they provided for? - ANSWERS✔-For broadcasting and political candidates. Equal
opportunity- being given the same opportunity to reach approximately the same
number and type of people as a candidate's opponent did.
Reasonable access- allow reasonable access and reasonable amounts of time for
use of a broadcasting station by a legally qualified candidate.
A. The Reasonable Access Rule gives legally qualified federal candidates the right
to
purchase air time from radio and TV stations during their campaign. Candidates
for
state and local office have no statutory right to purchase time on broadcast
stations. (See Communications Act s. 312 (a)(7).
The Equal Opportunity Rule requires broadcast stations that have sold air time to
, one candidate for public office to provide all candidates for that office an
opportunity
to purchase comparable air time at a comparable rate. Equal opportunity also
applies to free air time made available to candidates - unless that free air time
falls
within one of the broadly interpreted "bona fide news story or events" exceptions
to
the rule. Those exceptions are:
1. Bona fide newscast;
2. Bona fide news interview;
3. Bona fide news documentary (if the appearance of the candidate is incidental
to the presentation of the subject or subjects covered by the news
documentary);
4. On-the-spot coverage of a bona fide news event(including political
conventions, debates, etc.). (see Communications Act s. 315).
\.What does it mean to be a "legally qualified" political candidate under the equal
opportunities rule? - ANSWERS✔-Someone who publicly announced a bid for
office, has his or her name on the ballot or is a serious write-in candidate.
\.What is the difference between a contribution and an expenditure? -
ANSWERS✔-Contributions- direct payment of money. Expenditures- advocacy of a
particular candidate through mediums. Candidate has no knowledge of advocacy
medium until it is dispersed.
