Fairness Doctrine 2.0

Heritage Foundation ^ | 11/25/08 | montesquieu

[montesquieu]

...liberals are again bent on stifling dissent. They've learned from their past failures, however. Last year former talk show host Mike Pence (R-IN) sponsored legislation forbidding the FCC from reinstating the Fairness Doctrine. It passed 309-115, but the measure was never taken up by the Senate. The FCC still has the same power it did in 1949 to create a new Fairness Doctrine. And that's exactly what the left is already moving to do.

Last year the Center for American Progress released its blueprint for the re-censorship of America's airwaves. The report notes the exact same language authorized the original Fairness Doctrine has never been repealed: "Thus, the public obligations inherent in the Fairness Doctrine are still in existence and operative, at least on paper... The Fairness Doctrine was most effective as part of a regulatory structure that limited license terms to 3 years, subjected broadcasters to license challenges through comparative hearings ... and empowered local community through a process of interviewing a variety of local leaders." These are exactly policy prescriptions the Center for American Progress wants the FCC to adopt today: shortening radio broadcast licenses from eight to three years; requiring broadcasters to prove to bureaucrats they are operating "on behalf of the public interest";and forcing broadcasters who fail to satisfy the bureaucrats to fund the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

The left will not call the policy the Fairness Doctrine. They know they lost that fight. Instead, liberals are using new buzzwords like "localism"to mask their attacks on free speech. But make no mistake, the "public interest" requirements of Fairness Doctrine 2.0 can be defined almost any way a regulator wants -- up to and perhaps even beyond that required by the old Fairness Doctrine. Conservatives must keep a close eye on what the FCC does next.

[montesquieu]

Remember the new buzzword for the Fairness Doctrine is LOCALISM!! We need to create more Conservative media outlets. With Fox News becoming less outspoken as the months go by, is it not time to create a strictly Conservative Network?! Forget Fair and Balanced?!! How about BRUTALLY HONEST REPORTING!! People would love it!!

[MadMax, the Grinning Reaper]

Heritage Foundation site sucks. Can’t get to the main article on the Fairness Doctrine. Too much crap on the scene and no direct link to the article I wanted.

Clean it up, provide direct links, and then provide the subject lists.

Townhall.com has done the same thing and it clutters up what was a nice, clean, and easily accessible site.

[NoLibZone]

When they take the first and second amendments it’s time we employ the doctrine of our founders to obtain representation.

[Nateman]

Here's a link to the article.(found it through a search query)