Actually, it should read, “Americans Beware the Fairness Doctrine”. Diane Feinstein and others are already talking about reinstating the Fairness Doctrine. The Fairness Doctrine was something the FCC began a long time ago because it felt that it needed to control what kind of news people heard. They mandated that news services provide both sides of issues in a fair and balanced manner.
As you can imagine, this was bad right from the beginning and almost immediately the FCC began tearing down their own doctrine. At different times in our history, those who believe government should control what we can see, hear and read, have tried unsuccessfully to reinstate the doctrine.
When the FD was created it was meant for television, newspapers, radio, etc.. The grumbling today from those who think conservative talk radio has an unfair advantage, is a means in which they want to censor free speech. This is completely contrary to our Constitution and the American way, yet politicians like Feinstein, John Kerry and others have either called for a complete implementation of the doctrine or some form of it.
The “New Media”, which includes us bloggers can and probably would be affected as well. There are those who recognize and understand the power of the Internet and in particular the so-called “citizen journalists” who have brought a completely new perspective on presenting the “news”.
As a blogger, do you want to have to go out and find someone with an opposing view in order to be able to express your opinion? If this kind of legislation passes, that’s exactly what we all may be having to do in short order. In other words, it would effectively kill the blogosphere, talk radio and any kind of insightful media.
Government and people like Feinstein and Kerry think you and I are stupid. They believe it is government’s responsibility to spoon feed its citizens their kind of news. This is censorship and another form of governmental brainwashing.
Part of the problem for those who favor the Fairness Doctrine is that they are seeing a growth in talk radio, television and Internet entities that oppose their views. It just so happens that much of these businesses are successful. It’s what people want to hear, see and read.
Talk America, a liberal biased radio talk show, has declared bankruptcy. Some say because of a poor business plan. Other say because content is bad and not enough people want to listen.
It doesn’t really matter which side of the aisle you land on as a blogger, if you enjoy what you’re doing, you cannot support bringing back the Fairness Doctrine. If you have something to say and can put together a piece of written text that has interesting enough content, no matter what the slant, people will come and read it. If not, you’re sunk. That’s life.
Below is a press release issued by the office of Congressman Mike Pence of Indiana. Pence today is proposing legislation that will ensure that this Fairness Doctrine is not given a chance to be reinstated.
“The American people love a fair fight, especially where the issues of the day are debated. In a free market, fairness should be determined based upon equal opportunity, not equal results. As some voices are calling for Congress to enforce their idea of ‘fairness’ upon the American people, it would be good for us to proceed with caution whenever some would achieve their ‘fairness’ by limiting the freedom of others.
“Beginning in 1949, the Federal Communications Commission and its precursor developed and enforced the so-called Fairness Doctrine. The Fairness Doctrine required broadcasters to present controversial issues in a fair and balanced manner. However, because of the lack of clarity in the Commission’s ruling, broadcasters opted to offer non-controversial programming in lieu of hours of paperwork or countless legal fees.
“Thankfully, the FCC began to overturn its own ruling on the Fairness Doctrine in 1985. And, following that change in policy by the FCC and President Reagan’s veto of attempts to reinstate it, the results have been dramatic. The lifting of the Fairness Doctrine has opened the public airwaves to free and vigorous discussion of controversial issues by individuals of all political stripes.
“Since the demise of the Fairness Doctrine, talk radio has emerged as a dynamic forum for public debate and an asset to the nation.
“Unfortunately, in the name of fairness, there has been much talk in recent days about the need to level the playing field of radio broadcasting by restoring the Fairness Doctrine.
“A liberal think tank recently condemned what they called the ‘massive imbalance’ on the radio airwaves.
“Some elected officials have said that Congress should ‘deal with that problem’ and others are ‘looking at’ bringing back this outright regulation of the American political debate.
“Bringing back the Fairness Doctrine would amount to government control over political views expressed on the public airwaves. It is a dangerous proposal to suggest the government should be in the business of rationing free speech.
“Congress must take action to ensure that this archaic remnant of a bygone era of American radio does not return. There is nothing fair about the Fairness Doctrine.
“During my years in radio and television, I developed a great respect for a free and independent press. Since being in Congress, I have been the recipient of praise and criticism from broadcast media, but it has not changed my fundamental belief that a free and independent press must be vigorously defended by those who love liberty. It is with this in mind that I will introduce the Broadcaster Freedom Act.
“The Broadcaster Freedom Act will prohibit the Federal Communications Commission from prescribing rules, regulations, or policies that will reinstate the requirement that broadcasters present opposing viewpoints in controversial issues of public importance. The Broadcaster Freedom Act will prevent the FCC or any future President from reinstating the Fairness Doctrine. This legislation ensures true freedom and fairness will remain on our radio airwaves, and I would encourage my colleagues to cosponsor and support this bill.
“John F. Kennedy stated, ‘We are not afraid to entrust the American people with unpleasant facts, foreign ideas, alien philosophies, and competitive values. For a nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people.’â€
Contact your representative and tell them you value free speech and not censorship.
Tom Remington
