Equal Time in an Unequal Media Environment
From The Libertarian by The Civitas Institute at the University of Texas at Austin
February 19, 2026 · 25 min · Season 1 · Episode 15
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
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