Personal attack rule

The personal attack rule was invoked whenever "an attack is made upon the honesty, character, integrity, or like personal qualities of an identified person or group" during broadcast or original cable TV programming while discussing "controversial issues of public importance." Attacks by political candidates and their supporters during mandated airtime; attacks made during newscasts, interviews, and on-the-spot news coverage; and attacks on foreign groups or foreign public figures were excluded from the rule. ==History==

The personal attack rule was promulgated by the FCC under the authority of the Communications Act of 1934 and first upheld by the Supreme Court in its 1969 Red Lion Broadcasting v. FCC decision. == References ==