About this episode

Richard Epstein discusses the equal time rule, its origins, and its relevance in today's diverse media landscape.

Richard Epstein unpacks what the equal time rule actually is, where it came from, and why it still applies to broadcast television decades after the demise of the Fairness Doctrine. He also explores the original justification for FCC regulation based on spectrum scarcity, the uneasy relationship between free speech and campaign finance law, and whether the logic behind these rules makes any sense in a world of YouTube, podcasts, and limitless media platforms

People in this episode

Guest: Richard Epstein

Topics covered

• media regulation
• free speech
• campaign finance
• broadcast television
• spectrum scarcity
• Fairness Doctrine
• digital media

Keywords

• equal time rule
• media environment
• FCC regulation
• free speech
• campaign finance law
• broadcast television
• spectrum scarcity

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: FCC, Fairness Doctrine, YouTube

Products: podcasts

More episodes of The Libertarian

• A Turning Point For Section 2: SCOTUS Reins in the Voting Rights Act · April 29, 2026 · 22 min
• The Half-War · April 11, 2026 · 21 min
• The Slippery Slope of Social Media Liability · March 27, 2026 · 23 min
• Tax the Rich . . . Until They Leave: Mamdani and Rent Control · March 21, 2026 · 27 min
• Iran, Regime Change, and the War Powers Act · March 4, 2026 · 27 min
• Can Social Media Platforms Be Held Liable for User Speech? · January 31, 2026 · 25 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the The Libertarian podcast page.