Final answer:
The Fairness Doctrine, requiring balanced coverage of controversial issues, was repealed in 1987, benefiting conservative talk radio and leading to more politically polarized broadcasting.
The rise of hosts like Rush Limbaugh marked the beginning of a new era in political discourse, aligning with the broader conservative movement of the time.
Step-by-step explanation:
The repeal of the fairness doctrine in 1987 led to significant changes in broadcasting, particularly aiding the rise of conservative talk radio. This policy, established by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in 1949, required holders of broadcast licenses to cover controversial issues in a balanced way, ensuring that multiple perspectives were presented.
Its elimination under the Reagan administration coincided with a surge in popularity for talk radio shows, with figures like Rush Limbaugh shaping the political landscape for decades thereafter.
The abandonment of the fairness doctrine and related rules meant that stations had more freedom to present unbalanced political views, which played into the hands of broadcasters who wanted to promote a conservative agenda.
As a result, not only did conservative talk radio flourish, but the tone and nature of political discourse on the airwaves changed, becoming more polarized.
This shift aligned with a broader conservative movement that included organizations like the Heritage Foundation and politically active evangelical Christian groups, all contributing to the political ascendance of conservative policies and ideals in the 1980s and beyond.