Posted on 07/27/2007 4:56:57 PM PDT by Delacon
There is no "compelling reason to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine," the head of the Federal Communications Commission said in a letter to lawmakers this week.
Chairman Kevin J. Martin, responding to a letter from several House Republicans on the modern-day appropriateness of the rule, assured them that the media regulator has no intention of bringing back the doctrine, which required broadcasters to present contrasting points of view on issues of public importance.
"In my judgment, the events of the last two decades have confirmed the wisdom of the commission's decision to abolish the Fairness Doctrine," wrote Mr. Martin, a Republican, in a letter dated Monday and released yesterday.
"Discussion of controversial issues over the airwaves has flourished absent regulatory constraints, and the public now enjoys access to an ever-expanding range of views and opinions. Indeed, with the continued proliferation of additional sources of information and programming, including satellite broadcasting and the Internet, the need for the Fairness Doctrine has lessened ever further since 1987."
The commission under President Reagan started inquiries into the doctrine's constitutionality and in 1987 abandoned it altogether, concluding that it chilled speech because broadcasters did not want to risk airing controversial material. Moreover, Mr. Martin noted in his letter, the doctrine inhibited the expression of unpopular viewpoints.
Mr. Martin's opinion comes as no surprise, but his letter is the latest iteration in a Republican-led campaign to prevent a future administration from bringing back the Fairness Doctrine. The doctrine, vehemently opposed by conservatives, in recent months has attracted the support of liberal think tanks and some Democratic lawmakers.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
One more reason to have GOP in offices.
There’ll always be a 2(R) 2(D) comission in the FCC, but as soon as a dem gets elected POTUS, they’ll appoint a liberal FCC chair and here comes the “fairyness doctrine”
Where’s the ACLU raising hell about the Fairness Doctrine???
“There’ll always be a 2(R) 2(D) comission in the FCC, but as soon as a dem gets elected POTUS, they’ll appoint a liberal FCC chair and here comes the “fairyness doctrine””
I stand corrected. A dem Prez will be able to appoint the tie breaker. Then they won’t even need a new law. The new FCC chair will just choose to interpret current law the way he wishes and enforce a de facto “fairness doctrine”.
You’re right, this issue will come up again when the Dems get the power to appoint their own to these positions.
Right. Can't rely on unelected regulators and bureaucrats to carry any standard of freedom. Anybody know how the Broadcaster Freedom Act is doing?
“...Broadcaster Freedom Act...
Right. Can’t rely on unelected regulators and bureaucrats to carry any standard of freedom. Anybody know how the Broadcaster Freedom Act is doing?”
I searched FR and came up with only one ref to it(dated 7/2/07). I googled it and outside of todays articles talking about Hazelton, and burying it, I can’t find anything that isn’t almost 3 weeks old. All dealing with is the proposal back when it was first intiiated by by Rep. Pence. This act has definitely gone under the FR radar. Thank you MSM. Snuck one by again.
FCC chairman rejects ‘Fairness Doctrine’
so do I...
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