Should Congress regulate Talk radio?

Answer 1

No. This Congress should do NOTHING. So far, they have gotten nothing right.

Imagine, all the issues that need their attention, and they are focused on this.

It's unConstitutional and won't survive scrutiny, and why are they focusing on this now?

Answer 2

I think so.

Regardless of whether the talk radio show is conservative or liberal, it represents political power by the most entertaining.

Additionally, talk radio encourages its listeners to have particular political beliefs, by taking advantage of the public airways.

And also, Talk Radio, unregulated, becomes a haven for a few big national radio hosts. When it was regulated, talk radio was a local phenomena, where a person had a reasonable chance of getting through and getting on the air. Local issues were discussed. And things were actually funny, on occasion. But that last paragraph is just my opinion.

Answer 3

At present, the FCC regulates rules of decency on public airwaves. They have the ability to fine, censure, and take other measures against those individuals and networks that exceed what they define as common decency.

The FCC's guidelines on what mandates public decency, however, are somewhat vague. That depends very much on the President in power, since he is responsible for appointing the heads of major departments.

Note, however, that the FCC has no control or jurisdiction over what is said over cyberspace, cable networking, or satellite radio. These do not constitute public airwaves--they are privately operated systems--and so speakers have the freedom to say what they want.

If you feel that that is not sufficient, then talk to your Congressperson.

Answer 4

That is quite frankly the worst idea I can imagine anyone actually putting into practice. In many ways I consider the input the federal government has into other media already a problem. Fortunately although there are a lot of people who want further regulation,such as those that want the reappliction of the "fairness doctrine" the fact is that that kind of content based control would probably not survive a court challenge in todays environment.

AD

Answer 5

No way. That is absolutely not a proper function of government. We have a first amendment right to free speech in this country, and that includes a right to listen to what we want to listen to as well.

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Talk radio, weather AM/FM or Internet, has for a long time been a place where we can hear diverse ideas and beliefs. And we get a different slant on the news than we get from the network talking heads.

The government hates it, and has been chomping at the bit to control it, because it exposes them for who they are and what they do.

Answer 6

LMAO!!!!!!!! It seems everybody is bitching about George Bush taking away more and more of our rights.
But they want to know "SHOULD" congress regulate Talk Radio?
The only thing congress should be in charge of is stupidity and they are doing a wonderful job.

Answer 7

NO! Congress needs to not regulate ANY radio. Once we start doing that is when the true nature of communist rule will begin.

Answer 8

No. They should not especially when the majority of what is on talk radio is contrary to the ruling party's platform. it would just be a form of political censorship and a limitation of free speech in it's purest form. The only ones who seek to regulate are those who are in the cross hairs of talk radio. It seems they would not want to regulate if talk radio was pro-democrat.

Answer 9

It will never happen. The dems will only want to regulate conservative talk radio, the reps will only want to regulate the liberal left, how will they ever agree?

Answer 10

Sure. It's the last place where the People actually have a voice, and government can't have that. Shut the People up now. We can't have them getting involved in government. What do they think this is? Everyone knows that the people are too stupid to control their own lives. The government must hover and control every aspect of their lives for them.

So end the freedom of talk radio now. Silence the people, before it's too late and they gain the power to actually change the bloated, corrupt, inefficient government. That would be really, really bad for politicians.

People cannot listen to what they want, as determined by ratings. They must listen to what the government tells them to listen to.

Answer 11

NO.

However, there should be monopoly laws to prevent one company like clear channel from owning or controlling ALL mass media in any one market.

There used to be laws in place preventing one company from owning more than 1 TV or radio station and one newspaper in any one market. That's no longer the case which means if Hillary Clinton buys all the newspapers and radio stations in the midwest, those Americans will never hear or see anything she does not want you to hear or see.

The 1996 Telecommunications Act needs to be repealed. It is a danger to all Americans, liberal and conservative alike.