Does anyone who supports the fairness doctrine even know what it is?

Question

Just in case you want to know

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairness_doctrine

I can't believe that anyone with a brain in their head thinks it OK for the government to require radio stations to split 50/50 time between opposing viewpoints, whether they can sell the time or not.
Are democrats so upset with AM/talk radio being conservative that they just have to kill it? Isn't it enough that they control most TV networks, most newspapers etc?

This is a SERIOUS threat to freedom of expression. I suppose if you hate conservatives that much and you think it's OK to censor them then you'd agree with it.

What do you people think?

Answer 1

I think the Fairness Doctrine is one of the most venerable traditions of the country.

If the country is the Soviet Union.

In the US, it STINKS. Government-controlled political broadcasts? I don't think so!

Everyone has a right to speak. the government can't restrict speech. But no one has a right to force the government to make people listen to them!

In our system, the people choose. Low ratings mean instant cancellation.

This plan smacks of the government picking what people can hear, and therefore what they CAN'T. If the ratings show that the people want to hear Rush Limbaugh, or Air America, or some other political view, and the government forces the station to carry something else, how the heck is that NOT restricting freedom of speech?

It is the people who have the rights, not the opinions. Opinions aren't people!

We're talking political speech, the heart of the First Amendment, not Howard Stern talking dirty. And Bush's terrorist surveillance is a pimple on a flea compared to this.

Answer 2

It's disgraceful that the Democrats would even propose such a thing. They're angry cause no one want s to hear their message, it doesn't sell. So the only way they can win is by crapping on the 1st amendment. Democrats are scared of talk radio, why else would they make such big stink about it. If they do succeed with this, may God help us all. This is an issue really worth fighting.

Answer 3

Keep them ignorant. If they find out what how unfair the fairness doctrine is they might oppose it.

Some were confused. Fox News has balanced reporting. They have equal numbers on both sides of an issue. Sometimes it's hard to watch the arguing across the board. But all the other news shows (including CNN) support one idea, one opinion and they all agree on it, so it's rather boring. I prefer diversity of ideas. Some like their ideologies and don't want to hear other people's opinions. That's how they remain ignorant.

Answer 4

Agreed, they are really pissed now because Air America was such a horrible failure. They just don't get it, people don't want to hear them ***** about useless crap all day, inter-mixed with a conservative Bush bash every so often.

They are threatend by Conservative talk radio because it signals the popularity of a more conservative america and that is a threat to liberalism. You see they always try to use the courts to enact their ideas because they know they will never fly if left to a vote or debate.

Answer 5

If one supports the "Fairness Doctrine", then they must also believe that: Because the airwaves are owned by the "People," the government must control the content of political discussion; Because the airwaves also include television, wireless networks, and satellite transmissions, then the content of the communications must also be monitored & controlled; Because the public streets are owned by the "People," then the government must control the content and destination of vehicles that travel upon them (including newspaper delivery vehicles); And because printing presses use soy bean oil & pigments considered to be hazardous waste that can be dispersed into the environment, then, they too, must be controlled by the government. It ain't gonna stop with AM Talk Radio, Virginia...

Answer 6

i think after kruschev pounded his shoe on the desk at the UN 40 some years ago, their agenda changed...they then started infiltrating our countrys education system and produced all these liberal professors who are commies/socialists who are brainwashing our youth today..along with the education system, they infiltrated politics of this country and made groups like the aclu and environmental groups so left wing and dedicated to the idea that america is always wrong...now we have a bunch of politicians who were educated, raised and taught this elitist world view that it is inevitable that the world will at some point become socialistic..for our own good...the tyranny of tolerance is a good book to read and explore how the super liberal, one world global view is really supported by the old russian and chinese regimes ...

Answer 7

I don't think we need a 50/50 liber/con split just in the name of fairness. but if companies are refusing to hire lbierals (or conservatives) than its okay for someone to step in. thats a brand new form of discrimination

Answer 8

The Liberals are crying again about how unfair it is to have Rush, Hannity, Fox News, etc., and not have a fair say. Well, they do: CNN, NBC, ABC, CBS, MSNBC, and every major newspaper and magazine. So they are just cry babies. It will never get passed.

Answer 9

Just an attempt to shut up those that do not agree with them.

Answer 10

I think it will bring back some seriously needed objectivity, ethics and responsibility back to journalism or quasi-journalism as talk radio is just uncontrolled childish venting.