TV & VIDEO - Oct. 23, 1987

The Senate Commerce Committee voted 12-5 on Wednesday to write the controversial Fairness Doctrine into law and to charge broadcasters a fee for transferring licenses for not only broadcast stations but also services that use the electromagnetic spectrum, such as cellular telephones. The fee is based on a sliding percentage of the company’s sale price, from 2% of sales price--for a simple transfer of license--up to 5% for those licensees who turn over their acquisitions within three years of original purchase and who also “willfully violate” the Fairness Doctrine. The committee’s action follows a veto earlier this year by President Reagan of legislation making the doctrine law.