Democrats long for 'Fairness Doctrine': Congresswoman seeks to lessen impact of talk radio

WorldNetDaily.com ^ | Tuesday, April 19, 2005 | Ron Strom

[defenderSD]

I don't see how this bill could possibly pass in a GOP-controlled House and Senate. This bill is horses### anyway because the MSM is obviously biased to the left and has an overwhelming pro-Democrat agenda. So if talk radio would be compelled to offer opposing views, then so should all the pro-Democrat TV news networks. I don't think CBS news wants to bring Rush on their show to provide "equal time" for a conservative perspective on the news.

[SuziQ]

In an attempt to lessen the impact of so-called conservative talk radio, a New York congresswoman is leading an effort to re-establish the "Fairness Doctrine" for radio and television broadcasters in the United States.

[The_Reader_David]

So, how about we take them up on this. But we demand equal coverage for the successes of American and coalition forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, equal access to network broadcast news for a reporter who will sneer at the pro-death side the next time a Terri Schaivo type case arises, equal time in all network news reports for the pro-Republican side when there is a contrived 'scandal' a la Tom DeLay . . .

Oh, okay, we'll see to it that all our new conservative news broadcasts on TV network news are wrapped in an air of faux objectivity, just like the liberal news broadcasts. Fair enough?

Actually the whole thing is unconstitutional, but since the SCOTUS couldn't see that McCain-Feingold was a law abridging the freedom of the press, the position I just enunciated may be a necessary fallback position until we can reign in the judiciary. (And it makes some good talking points to shut the left up on this in any event.)

[Bernard Marx]

Now, what part of the first amendment don't they understand?

The part they don't like -- just like the second amendment and any other part of the Constitution that disagrees with their totalitarian agenda.

[Soul Seeker]

McCain would vote for this.

In 1993, Congress unsuccessfully attempted to re-institute the rule. At the time, talk-radio giant Rush Limbaugh rallied his supporters to help defeat the effort, which he dubbed the "Hush Rush" bill.

ROFL!

[Mike Darancette]

I wonder who Air America will choose to be their balance?

[potlatch]

Very nice!!

[my_pointy_head_is_sharp]

It would then also apply to NPR and PBS. Turnabout is fair play. Their beloved left-wing institutions would have to be shared with conservatives. Hahaha. That would be a change - conservative radio without commercials. I like it! < :D

[my_pointy_head_is_sharp]

Let's stay on top of this. If this "fairness" doctrine goes through, IT HAS TO APPLY EQUALLY TO NPR, PBS, AND ALL OTHER LEFT-WING BROADCAST CORPORATIONS, including Sirius (home of Howard Stern), HBO, and whatever other leftist corporations exist. EQUALLY. Fair is fair.

[okie01]

I don't see how this bill could possibly pass in a GOP-controlled House and Senate.

It would never pass the House, that's for certain.

But, with all the RINO wusses, I'm not sure you could count on the Senate.

[white trash redneck]

Though I don't favor resurrection of the "Fairness Doctrine" or anything else that would interfere with conservative talk radio, there is one thing I don't understand. I can see how the Doctrine would make it impossible for Rush to broadcast. Why couldn't the Fairness Doctrine be applied equally well to, for example, CBS, CNN, or NPR?