H.R. 4401 — Introduced in House

I 116th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 4401 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES September 19, 2019Ms. Gabbard introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce A BILL To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to reinstate the obligation of broadcast licensees to afford reasonable opportunity for the discussion of conflicting views on issues of public importance (commonly known as the Fairness Doctrine). 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Restore the Fairness Doctrine Act of 2019. 2. Fairness doctrine Section 315 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 315) is amended— (1) by redesignating subsections (a) through (e) as subsections (b) through (f), respectively; and (2) by inserting before subsection (b), as so redesignated, the following: (a) Public interest obligation To cover publicly important issues A broadcast licensee shall afford reasonable opportunity for the discussion of conflicting views on issues of public importance. The enforcement and application of the requirement imposed by this subsection shall be consistent with the rules and policies of the Commission in effect on January 1, 1987, including sections 73.1920 and 73.1930 (relating to personal attacks and political editorials, respectively) of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on such date). .