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Following public safety concerns, especially the Titanic disaster, Congress passed the Radio Act of 1912 requiring federal licensing for all radio operators. Hanson notes this as the government’s first attempt to regulate the electromagnetic spectrum—recognizing broadcasting as a public resource requiring oversight. -
The 1927 Act created the Federal Radio Commission and introduced the “public interest” standard discussed by Hanson, granting regulators power to assign frequencies and prevent interference. This cemented the idea that the airwaves belong to the public. -
Hanson highlights this act as the foundation of modern media regulation. It replaced the FRC with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which became responsible for radio, telephone, and eventually television. The FCC became the central regulator balancing free speech, technology, and commerce. -
Adopted by the FCC, the Fairness Doctrine required broadcasters to present opposing viewpoints on public issues. Hanson describes this as an attempt to ensure fairness when few media outlets existed. It was revoked in 1987 as cable and digital media diversified voices. -
Hanson identifies this case as a cornerstone of media law: public officials must prove “actual malice” to win a libel case. This ruling protected the press when reporting on government wrongdoing and shifted U.S. journalism toward more aggressive investigative reporting. -
The Act created the CPB, PBS, and later NPR. Hanson connects this to the government’s effort to provide educational, non-commercial programming accessible nationwide, especially as TV became powerful. -
To prevent networks from monopolizing TV production, the FCC limited how much programming networks could own. Hanson notes these rules expanded opportunities for independent creators. They were later repealed as cable expanded. -
The 1984 Act encouraged cable expansion and loosened rate controls. Hanson emphasizes how deregulation began shifting the media landscape toward subscription-based models and more channel choices. -
Hanson highlights the CTA as a response to concerns about advertising and educational content. It limited advertising during children’s programming and required broadcasters to air educational shows. -
Hanson identifies this as the most significant media law since 1934. It reduced ownership limits, allowing media consolidation, and recognized emerging digital technologies. It also included Section 230, which became critical for internet platform liability. -
The Digital Millennium Copyright Act strengthened copyright protections and created safe harbors for online platforms. Hanson explains that these safe harbors enabled platforms like YouTube to exist while protecting rights holders. -
YouTube’s launch transformed media production and distribution. Hanson links this growth to DMCA safe harbors and Section 230 protections. Audiences became creators, and traditional media gatekeeping weakened. -
Hanson discusses how this Supreme Court ruling changed campaign messaging by equating political spending with free speech, allowing unlimited independent expenditures. TV, digital ads, and social media became flooded with political messaging. -
Hanson describes net neutrality as central to digital free expression. The FCC classified broadband as a utility in 2015, then reversed this under the 2017 administration. The debate revolves around whether ISPs can prioritize or slow certain content. -
As misinformation and extremist content grew on platforms, Section 230 came under scrutiny. Hanson frames this as the modern equivalent of earlier struggles: balancing free speech, platform responsibility, and government overreach. The debate continues amid pressures to regulate Big Tech.