Fairness Doctrine hammered 309-115
By Alexander Bolton
from The Hill
June 28, 2007
The House voted overwhelmingly Thursday to prohibit the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from using taxpayer dollars to impose the Fairness Doctrine on broadcasters who feature conservative radio hosts such as Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity.
By a vote of 309-115, lawmakers amended the Financial Services and General Government appropriations bill to bar the FCC from requiring broadcasters to balance conservative content with liberal programming such as Air America.
The vote count was partly a testament to the influence that radio hosts wield in many congressional districts.
It was also a rebuke to Democratic senators and policy experts who have voiced support this week for regulating talk radio.
House Democrats argued that it was merely a Republican political stunt because there is little danger of the FCC restricting conservative radio while George W. Bush is president.
Republicans counter that they are worried about new regulations if a Democrat wins the White House in 2008.
Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said on Tuesday that the government should revive the Fairness Doctrine, a policy crafted in 1929 that required broadcasters to balance political content with different points of view.
“It’s time to reinstitute the Fairness Doctrine,” he said. “I have this old-fashioned attitude that when Americans hear both sides of the story, they’re in a better position to make a decision.”
(Continued here.)
from The Hill
June 28, 2007
The House voted overwhelmingly Thursday to prohibit the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from using taxpayer dollars to impose the Fairness Doctrine on broadcasters who feature conservative radio hosts such as Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity.
By a vote of 309-115, lawmakers amended the Financial Services and General Government appropriations bill to bar the FCC from requiring broadcasters to balance conservative content with liberal programming such as Air America.
The vote count was partly a testament to the influence that radio hosts wield in many congressional districts.
It was also a rebuke to Democratic senators and policy experts who have voiced support this week for regulating talk radio.
House Democrats argued that it was merely a Republican political stunt because there is little danger of the FCC restricting conservative radio while George W. Bush is president.
Republicans counter that they are worried about new regulations if a Democrat wins the White House in 2008.
Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said on Tuesday that the government should revive the Fairness Doctrine, a policy crafted in 1929 that required broadcasters to balance political content with different points of view.
“It’s time to reinstitute the Fairness Doctrine,” he said. “I have this old-fashioned attitude that when Americans hear both sides of the story, they’re in a better position to make a decision.”
(Continued here.)
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1 Comments:
The Fairness Doctrine was instituted at a time where there was no TV. No satellite radio. No cable TV. No internet. No FM radio.
I say let's institute the fairness doctrine, but apply it to all media - newspaper editorial boards must be equitable in their members and content and all letters published must have equal numbers from both sides every day; hollywood documentary films - there must have a balanced number documentaries and awards given equitably; college political science and media professor - must have an equal number of professors from both sides of the fence in all poli sci and media department; network tv news - must have equal number of stories that present both sides of an issue; local tv news - must have an equal number of stories and opinions that present both sides of an issue.
I could go on, but you're probably thinking 'your idea is ridiculous' to which I would say 'exactly, so is the fairness doctrine'. It's 2007 for crying out loud! Do we really need to resurrect a law from 1929 because some politicians - both Democrat and Republican - don't like dissent on talk radio?
Talk Radio - both liberal and conservative - is the only place people can debate the issues of the day generally unedited and undiluted. Regulating it will only take away this forum leaving the people without a way to hear the views of their fellow citizens.
What I find interesting is that those who support the Fairness Doctrine have no problem with federally funded radio such as public radio which has a decidedly liberal slant. Beyond that, when the marketplace is left alone, people choose conservative talk radio. How else can you explain the hundreds of local and national conservative talk shows, but Air America is bankrupt? I tried listening to Al Franken, but he never took calls - it was just his soap box for two hours. I tried listening to the Majority Report with Janine Garafalo, but it was two hours of hating Bush and hating conservatives. Is there any doubt why these shows aren't on the air anymore? The content was boring, bland, and uninteresting. Ed Shultz is about the only liberal talk show worth listening to.
Finally, the Fairness Doctrine is a clear violation of the First Amendment. It's purpose is to suppress dissenting opinions from the biggest of the biggies - Big Government.
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