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| Vote to End Fairness Doctrine Not in Works, Hoyer Says |
| 2009-01-09 |
| The House Democratic leadership, which controls the legislative schedule, currently has no plans to bring the Broadcaster Freedom Act -- which would permanently ban the Fairness Doctrine -- up for a vote, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) told CNSNews.com at the Capitol on Wednesday. And if you can't believe Steny Hoyer, who can you believe? Meanwhile, Senate Republicans on Wednesday unveiled legislation identical to the Broadcaster Freedom Act , with the support of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-K.Y.) The Fairness Doctrine was a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulation that required broadcasters to grant equal airtime to opposing viewpoints. The rule was rolled back during the Reagan administration. One result of that was the market demand for conservative talk radio and the rise of popular programs such as the Rush Limbaugh Show and the Sean Hannity Show, among many others. In recent years, however, Democratic leaders, including Hoyer, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) have spoken in favor of restoring the doctrine. In 2007, Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) introduced the Broadcaster Freedom Act to strip FCC officials of the power to restore the doctrine. Pence's bill, however, was not brought to the floor for a vote because of opposition from Democratic leadership. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #13 yeah, let's expand the fairness doctrine to the public education system; ie, if your're getting federal funds, you will allow conservative instructors in 50-50. |
| Posted by: hammerhead 2009-01-09 18:21 |
| #12 So Rush appears on NPR and Air America, I guess it can only help their ratings but I think a number of heads would pop. |
| Posted by: rjschwarz 2009-01-09 18:10 |
| #11 Conservative talk radio blossomed AFTER the Fairness Doctrine was rescinded. Think about who wants to bring it back. Consider what their reasons might be. Scared yet? |
| Posted by: Iblis 2009-01-09 14:55 |
| #10 Problem is that talk radio is becoming a relic of the '90s. The future in the series of Tubes that Algore created, and the Democrats are way ahead in that ball game. |
| Posted by: Mizzou Mafia 2009-01-09 14:12 |
| #9 It would guarantee equal time for opposing viewpoints -on the radio not in congress. |
| Posted by: bigjim-ky 2009-01-09 14:08 |
| #8 Guys, just think about it. These traitors would put even farther left-wing people on to balance out the conservatives like Olberman. It's all in who gets to make the definitions. |
| Posted by: AlanC 2009-01-09 10:14 |
| #7 Actually guys, the first time around the big 3 were exempted. It would be harder to justify exempting networks nowdays with cable, but still possible. Think of a "certification" from the government so you don't have to put the peasant right on your liberal ivory tower show. Because you are a "journalist" and all. |
| Posted by: DarthVader 2009-01-09 09:48 |
| #6 Cyber Sarge: Don't for a moment believe that the media and the government wouldn't be as hypocritical as hell about the fairness doctrine. They would insist that beyond doubt, Keith Olbermann is fair and balanced, but someone like Brit Hume was "radical right wing." |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2009-01-09 09:18 |
| #5 I think CF has it. It's for radio only. If it's equally applied I'd vote for it. "coming up at 11:30 the Conservative reply to the liberal news." |
| Posted by: Hellfish 2009-01-09 08:26 |
| #4 I can very easily imagine the Cable and TV network, NPR, and newspapers being exempted from Fairness Doctrine II. It would be targeted right at talk radio - and Blogs if they could get away with it. The media (with the possible exception of FOX) is desperate to get their old captured audience back. |
| Posted by: CrazyFool 2009-01-09 08:22 |
| #3 CS, you nailed the point I was going to make so well all I can add is "Touche". Would not this doctrine if passed also require equal time for "THE TRUTH"? Nope nothing to see here-move along!! |
| Posted by: Every Day a Wildcat(KSU) 2009-01-09 08:17 |
| #2 Nobody is going to pass the fairness doctrine. If so MSNBC would have to allow Rush, Ann Coulter, or Alan Keyes TV time. Can you imagine? |
| Posted by: Cyber Sarge 2009-01-09 07:00 |
| #1 Would you rather myself listen to your foolish house sessions and dribble? I may ablidge, but what I reoirt from you is hellspawn. YOUR rights as a government are in jepordy. |
| Posted by: newc 2009-01-09 00:35 |