Question

Suppose, before the 2016 presidential elections, the League of Women Voters wanted to sponsor a three-way debate among the leading 2016 presidential hopefuls Donald Trump (R), Ted Cruz (R), and Hillary Clinton (D). (This IS a hypothetical.) If Clinton had declined the invitation to the debate, would a debate between Trump and Cruz trigger the equal opportunity requirement of 47 U.S.C.§315 and entitle Clinton to equal air time?

Answer 1

Answer:

No. Clinton would lose the right to use that time.

Explanation:

As you may already know, during a presidential election it is common for candidates to participate in debates. These debates allow them to express their views on important factors in national politics, as well as giving these candidates the opportunity to present their political ideas, what they stand for and why they deserve your vote.

The debates must be held in a democratic way, allowing all candidates to have equal opportunities in terms of time and condition to speak. Within a debate, the time set aside for one candidate must be equal to the time set aside for the other, however, if one of the candidates refuses to participate in the debate, he / she loses the right to that time and cannot use it in a ground cover to promote your company.

Answer 2

Answer:

Yes, Hilary Clinton is entitled to equal air time as encapsulated in the requirements of 47 U.S. Code § 315., Candidates for public office.

Explanation:

The equal-time rule specifies that U.S. radio and television broadcast stations must provide an equivalent opportunity to any opposing political candidates who request it. This means, as examplified in the question, that the hypothetical sponsored 2016 Presidential Election Debate by the League of Women Voters among Presidential hopefuls of major political parties of Donald Trump, Ted Cruz and Hilary Clinton must offer Hilary Clinton equal opportunities in prime time, price if applicable and prefered advertiser.

The equal-time rule was created so that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will ensure that broadcast stations could not easily manipulate the outcome of elections by presenting just one point of view, and excluding other candidates.

Exceptions to the Equal-time Rule.

• If the airing was within a documentary, bona-fide news interview, scheduled newscast or an on-the-spot news event, the equal-time rule does not apply;
• Since 1983, political debates not hosted by the media station are considered "news events," and as a result, are not subject to the rule;
• Consequently, these debates may include only major-party candidates without having to offer air time to minor-party or independent candidates;
• Talk shows and other regular news programming from syndicators, such as Entertainment Tonight, are also declared exempt from the rule by the FCC on a case-by-case basis.

Please find attached copy of the full details of the Rule

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