What is the massive strategy to use the Fairness Doctrine ?

Question

to challenge and harass right-wing broadcasters and hope the challenges would be so costly to them that they would be inhibited and decide it was too expensive to continue.?

Answer 1

It is an existing venue being used to eliminate current talk show hosts with opposing views to those of the liberals and democrats of this decade.
They have unsuccessfully launched their own programs which have failed.
This therefore is an attempt to swamp radio stations with frivolous complaints to force station managers to free up time for opposing opinions. It is felt that if they can cause enough upheaval, managers will drop the talk shows.
Those who are keeping up with all the modern technology do not realize that there is a large segment of the population which do not have computers, cable TV and other select media to get the 'other side of the story.
If this strategy is successful, there will be no resource for us to obtain the truth.
We could go back to the 3rd world approach of political songs to get the message across, I guess.
It is another attack on freedom of speech, which will probably be challenged in the Supreme Court, to be found quietly unconstitutional - just as the ruling was against the line item veto was during the Clinton administration

Answer 2

That's arguably one reason why it is being promoted. And for people who care more about politics than about the public, it seems an effective way to accomplish their goals.

The doctrine had a purpose 40~60 years ago when it was first established, because of the limited number of broadcast stations and the ease at which one viewpoint could dominate the market.

In today's world -- with satellite communications, cable TV, and the internet -- there is no reasonable possibility of one viewpoint being excluded entirely, or even to blocked significantly. So, no need for govt legislation.

That's why, as an advocate of free speech, I oppose the doctrine -- it's unnecessary, and it's a govt intrusion into an area that can already regulate itself quite well using a free market model (at least, under present circumstances).

Answer 3

I think the Fairness Doctrine limits the sources for all types of information that is broadcast every day. The left dominate the news, the right dominate the talk shows, so I think it doesn't make sense. This could work if both the left and right are able to open the outlets to the middle. Thanks!