RADIO COALITION

The Washington Times ^ | February 25, 2009 | Greg Pierce

[Delacon]

A group called the Free Radio Coalition has been formed to fight the possible reimposition of the so-called "Fairness Doctrine," Radio America President James Roberts said Tuesday.

Chairing the coalition will be veteran broadcaster, Radio America talk-show host and former San Diego Mayor Roger Hedgecock.

"The reinstatement of the misnamed Fairness Doctrine would constitute a massive assault on our cherished First Amendment rights and should be of concern to all Americans, regardless of their political or religious persuasion," Mr. Hedgecock said.

The group hopes to hold a summit conference of radio talk-show hosts and religious broadcasters in Washington to plan a coordinated strategy.

The organization also plans to organize expert testimony in the event that the Federal Communications Commission or congressional committees hold hearings on the Fairness Doctrine.

Mr. Roberts and others interested in the issue, including radio talk-show hosts G. Gordon Liddy and Blanquita Cullum, will hold a reception Wednesday evening for Mr. Hedgecock in Washington.

[Delacon]

 

PETITION TO BLOCK CONGRESSIONAL
ATTACKS ON FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND PRESS

To: U.S. Congress, President of the United States, Supreme Court of the United States

Whereas, the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution clearly states: "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";

Whereas, members of Congress are recently on record saying they want to re-impose the so-called "Fairness Doctrine" on U.S. broadcasters, or else accomplish the same goal of censoring talk radio by other means, and thereby establish government and quasi-government watchdogs as the arbiters of "fairness" rather than the free and open marketplace of ideas;

Whereas, the U.S. experimented with the so-called "Fairness Doctrine" for 38 years - from 1949 through 1987 - during which time it was repeatedly used by presidents and other political leaders to muzzle dissent and criticism;

Whereas, the abandonment of the so-called "Fairness Doctrine" in 1987, thanks to President Ronald Reagan, resulted in an unprecedented explosion of new and diverse voices and political speech - starting with Rush Limbaugh - that revitalized the AM radio band and provided Americans with a multitude of alternative viewpoints;

Whereas, talk radio is one of the most crucial components of the free press in America, and is single-handedly responsible for informing tens of millions of Americans about what their government leaders are doing;

Whereas, it is a wholly un-American idea that government should be the watchdog of the press and a policeman of speech, as opposed to the uniquely American ideal of a free people and a free press being the vigilant watchdogs of government;

Whereas, the so-called "Fairness Doctrine" - either under that name, or using a new name and even more devious methods - represents a frontal assault on the First Amendment, and its re-imposition would constitute nothing more nor less than the crippling of America's robust, unfettered, free press:

 

                                SIGN THE PETITION at http://www.wnd.com/index.php?pageId=87882

 

Freepmail me if you want to join my fairness doctrine ping list.

[Delacon]

ping

[FormerACLUmember]

Freedom of the Dead Tree Press means Freedom of the Electronic Media!

The First Amendment means just what it says!

And anyone who says otherwise is by definition a totalitarian tyrant. Someone who must be crushed and brought to justice.

[unkus]

I’m going to join the Radio Coalition.

[ExTexasRedhead]

Roger Hedgecock is the best. One of the best guest hosts Rush ever used.

[lonewacko_dot_com]

This group is playing right into BHO’s hands. He’s on record as opposing the FD. Instead of concentrating on the FD and only the FD, they need to broaden what they oppose to include other proposals that will have the same effect. To his credit, Rush Limbaugh did that in a recent WSJ OpEd. See also the better language to use here:

http://24ahead.com/s/fairness-doctrine

[444Flyer]

Roger is a TRUE Conservative and a very smart man. Go gettum’ Hedgecock.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Back it up with bucks, folks. And continue to "weapon and ammo up" while you are at it. We KNOW what the enemy has in store for us and in which order they are going to start in on it.

[Onelifetogive]

Maybe we could license a station in Cuba to beam “Radio Free America” broadcasts into Miami...

[Delacon]

I gotta think these guys are well aware of the Alinsky tactics the dems are trying to pull. Localism, diversity on the airwaves, diversity of viewpoint, diversity of ownership, community advisory boards. They know.

[lonewacko_dot_com]

If “they know”, tell me why this is the way it is:

http://www.mrcaction.org/517/petition.asp?PID=18645182

[lonewacko_dot_com]

Just to make it clear, that’s a different group. However, I keep seeing those who should know better making similar mistakes, so it’s helpful to point it out until everyone makes certain to use the most legalistic phrasing possible.

[lonewacko_dot_com]

This one is slightly better, but they still don’t include the necessary legalistic formulations:

http://www.wnd.com/index.php?pageId=87882

[Grunthor]

“The organization also plans to organize expert testimony in the event that the Federal Communications Commission or congressional committees hold hearings on the Fairness Doctrine.”

I would enjoy watching Rush or Roger or Rusty, Glenn or even Jerry Doyle or Mike Gallagher giving testimony before a Senate comittee. Win or lose on the “Fairness Doctrine” it would be entertainment that could sell PPV time at $60 per hour.

[Delacon]

Go back a couple of months and instead of WND’s petition in my posts, you'd see MRC’s web page with its petition. Nothing against MRC but I just thought WND’s petition was better. That aside, you ask why. Why? Because we are back benchers right now while the dems are acting like kids in a candy store. We have what we have. We do the best that we can do. Greater movements have been built on less that what we have at our disposal my friend.

[Delacon]

“Win or lose on the “Fairness Doctrine” it would be entertainment that could sell PPV time at $60 per hour.”

Until they came after PPV.

[watusa1775]

ping

[Delacon]

“Shazam! Welcome to Venezuela! But without the oil”

lol

[wastedyears]

Obama said he doesn’t support gun control laws. His record says different.

Dunno where you get your information from, because the media lies.

[Beloved Levinite]

At Last!!!!!!!! Excellent News!!!!! About TIme!!!!!!

BRAVO, Mr. Hedgecock!!!!!!