Are the DEMOCRATS trying to shoot down the 'fairness doctrine'?

Question

Is this a call to ACTION?

Does this call for a 5 perhaps 10 MILLION man march to D.C.?

Will this be our(Conservatives) chance to restore civility to America?

Answer 1

No, they want it and it's the first step in losing our freedom of speech.

Answer 2

The Fairness Doctrine was a regulation of the United States' Federal Communications Commission (FCC) which required broadcast licensees to present controversial issues of public importance, and to present such issues in what was deemed an honest, equal and balanced manner. It has since been repealed by the FCC and aspects of it have been questioned by courts.

Until the late '80s, the broadcasting industry was governed by a set of rules, better known as the "Fairness Doctrine," which required stations to operate in the "public interest." This included the requirement that stations must offer a variety of viewpoints that reflect opposing perspectives, and that they operate in a "fair" manner while doing so. Broadcasters also had to ensure they would treat a wide variety of politically related speech fairly, including ballot initiatives and personal attacks on the character or honesty of an individual and group.

The broadcast lobby and their allies successfully won repeal of much of the "Fairness Doctrine" during the late '80s. The Reagan/Bush Sr. FCC was notoriously aligned with the broadcast lobby. Since that time, the National Association of Broadcasters has successfully fought against its re-imposition using the spurious argument that the Fairness Doctrine harms the First Amendment rights of the media. The leading advocate for the Doctrine – Media Access Project – has never had the resources it needed for an effective campaign to restore it.

The rise of conservative talk radio is directly linked to the absence of the Fairness Doctrine. Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and the myriad of shrill right-wing talk jocks are immune from having to provide even a modicum of balanced perspective. Media consolidation has greatly fueled the problem, creating powerful station chains with a distinct political perspective, such as Clear Channel and Sinclair Broadcasting. While on cable and satellite networks, Rupert Murdoch's Fox News Channel offers conservative commentary thinly disguised as journalism.

Conglomeration and deregulation has also weakened what little capability TV and radio networks possessed to engage in serious news reporting. All of these developments have created a one-sided (and highly crazed) media environment where opinion has replaced journalism, and ideology and ownership shape what audiences see and hear.

Broadcasters, however, are still licensed to serve the public interest and receive invaluable free access to public airwaves. It is time to restore the full measure of rules that require stations to provide a balance of perspectives. But safeguarding public interest requires not just reinstating the Fairness Doctrine but also new safeguards that reflect the realities of today's digital landscape.

Answer 3

The Fairness Doctrine came into being in 1949, during the Presidency of Harry Truman, a Democrat.

Conservatives went to court to get it undone in the 1960's but lost in the Supreme Court in 1969.

It was then undone by Ronald Reagan in 1987. Libs immediately re-enacted the Fairness Doctrine, but Reagan vetoed it.

They attempted to re-enacted it again in 1992, but Bush Sr. vetoed it.

They then lost the Congress in 1994 before being able to re-enact it again. This year has been the first opportunity to re-raise the issue since then. Pelosi has already said she will push it and Hillary has said it will be one of the first things she does if she were to make office.

Democrats want the Fairness Doctrine because it forces others to not speak out for fear of jail time or fines. A CLEAR violation of our first amendment rights.

Answer 4

Since when did they ever support it? The so-called "fairness doctrine" only served the interests of Republocrats. It never truly enforced "equal time." Otherwise you would hear a lot more about Libertarians, Greens, Constitutionalists, Reformers and Socialists.

In-fact, public TV and radio stations (paid for by the taxpayers) provide Demicans with free publicity by broadcasting so-called "Debates" which openly exclude other candidates.

Answer 5

The fact that radio is filled with Conservative talk means that Liberals can't get the ratings that they need to stay on the air!

If the fairness doctrine is brought back, does it apply to TV, Movies, satellite radio, news print etc..

Answer 6

They are actually try to get the government involved in the programming of private radio stations and using the fairness doctrine as an excuse.

Answer 7

Some Dems have proposed bringing it back.
Others (myself included) think it is a bad idea.
After all why would we want to shut down people like Rush who disgust so many Americans and drive moderates away from the right?

Answer 8

Hopefully, the sane dems will. Unfortunately it was the dems, with the support of a few rinos, that are pressing for it!

Answer 9

Are you crazy? It's their only chance to shut down talk radio, since they fail so badly at it.

Answer 10

Dianne Feinstien is looking at bringing it back. It was on the news this morning. Her own words "she was looking into it"