How Government Regulates the Media and Internet

CrashCourse

This episode of Crash Course Government and Politics explores the complex relationship between the United States government and the media. Host Craig Benzine breaks down how different forms of media—print, broadcast, and the internet—are subject to varying levels of government regulation. The video explains the historical context of the First Amendment's role in protecting the press while highlighting the specific limitations that exist, such as libel laws and national security concerns. The content dives deep into the role of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in managing the public airwaves, detailing key regulations like the Fairness Doctrine, the Equal Time Rule, and the Right of Rebuttal. It contrasts the strict regulation of broadcast media with the relatively unregulated nature of print and the evolving legal landscape of the internet. Significant Supreme Court cases, including New York Times v. United States and FCC v. Pacifica, are used to illustrate how legal precedents have shaped what Americans read, watch, and hear. Finally, the video addresses modern issues such as media consolidation and Net Neutrality. It explains how the Telecommunications Act of 1996 led to massive media mergers and debates whether internet service providers should be regulated as public utilities. This resource is excellent for Civics and Government classrooms to help students understand the balance between free speech, corporate interests, and the government's responsibility to serve the public interest.