Actionable Summary:
- We used to have a way for competing ideas to be shared in a common space, and that would allow us to interact
-Platforms are competing for share of attention, not just users.
- We are drowning in data, and starved for insights.
- The New US Government is positioned to be an Internet Administration. This means we will see policy play out live, at a speed and pace we haven't before.
It Wasn’t Always Like This
The Fairness Doctrine was started by the Federal Communications Commission in 1949, to ensure that broadcast media provided fair and balanced coverage. The point was to create an environment that there wouldn’t be a monopolization of viewpoints at any given time.
It meant things like:
- Equal Airtime for Candidates - If you were running for public office, you had to be given equal airtime as your opponent.
- Coverage of Controversial Issues - You had to devote airtime to discussing significant matters of public interest.
- Response Opportunities - if you felt like you were misrepresented or attacked, broadcasts were entitled to a reasonable opportunity to respond on air.
Since broadcast radio and television were the primary means of reaching the American populace at scale, this worked. It was in play until 1987, when it was repealed under Reagan. People felt like it infringed on First Amendment Rights, and didn’t let people operate without government interference.
The problem is we aren’t sure what or who to believe anymore. That’s even harder because depending on where you spend time, the information that comes to you is curated by who you follow.