Posted on 11/12/2008 9:05:45 AM PST by Dubya-M-DeesWent2SyriaStupid!
so if that is the case then will the likes of ABC,NBC,CBS,NPR,etc have to report fairly on the news and do coverage fairly of both parties in politics?
If so who would enforce it and decide who is not being biased and who is?
We all know the networks are biased so where does this doctrine stop
Even the founding fathers said that when the government becomes unresponsive to those it represents, it may be necessary to take back the government by arms.
Seems to me that the Fairness Doctrine could also work in the conservative favor IF conservatives actively seek TRUE FAIRNESS in all dialog where it is possible. This mean a watch group will need to be activated to monitor but It’s high time the MSM is monitored for journalistic impartiality, for editorials comments to convey both sides of the coin.
“You have to subscribe.”
Which is why the masses would never be able to hear any of it. Aren’t they the ones we want to keep trying to reach? The same ones who watch abc/cbs/nbc/cnn? Or do we just keep preaching to the choir? What a fine mess this will be.
Bring back the pamphleteers!
That orignal pesky little document the founders used to spread the truth...the one that got the “freedom of the press” included in the 1st amendment.
Everyone has a printer!
Every block has a telephone pole!
Every person has two hands!
Every kinkos has a photocopier!
Excellent article. Frightening but steeped in truths that are undeniable.
My question is, after Oberman has slobbered for an hour on MSNBC, if I can have the same hour to tell how dangerous and lousy Obama is/
If need be.. can’t SCOTUS rule is unconstitutional?
If the marxist BHO wants to he can regulate it & AM/FM out of business.
I believe you're correct regarding cable, because the transmissions are by subscription and across cables owned and laid by the cable companies.
Satellite, however, like broadcast TV and radio, are regulated by the FCC (and international treaty) to frequency bands set aside for that purpose.
People really do need to talk up the fact that a Fairness Doctrine will equally impact NBC, CBS, ABC, and PBS. I'd like to see somebody demand equal time on ABC to counter "The View" each day. What would ABC do, make another hour available to men discussing opposing views, or cancel "The View?"
-PJ
One cannot assume that politicians are always forthright, obfuscation of the facts are more the norm than the exception. The Fairness Doctrine is spelled out in Title 47 of the code (47 USC),
<<< The FCC’s statutory mandate to see that broadcasters operate in the public interest and Congress’ reaffirmation, in the 1959 amendment to 315 of the Communications Act, of the FCC’s view that the fairness doctrine inhered in the public interest standard, support the conclusion that the doctrine and its component personal attack and political editorializing regulations are a legitimate exercise of congressionally delegated authority. Pp. 379-386.
*Here’s section 315 of Title 47 USC
<<<Section 315 [47 U.S.C. §315] Facilities for candidates for public office.
(a) If any licensee shall permit any person who is a legally qualified candidate for any public office to use a broadcasting station, he shall afford equal opportunities to all other such candidates for that office in the use of such broadcasting station: Provided, That such licensee shall have no power of censorship over the material broadcast under the provision of this section. No obligation is hereby imposed under this subsection upon any licensee to allow the use of its station by any such candidate. Appearance by a legally qualified candidate on any –
(1) bona fide newscast,
(2) bona fide news interview,
(3) bona fide news documentary (if the appearance of the candidate is incidental to the presentation of the subject or subjects covered by the news documentary), or………….
So the fairness doctrine address’s equal time for political candidates, that’s it. Period.
It’s voluntary, and the question now is what broadcast stations?
Some history first
The FCC is the birth child of the Federal Radio Commission , formed in 1927,it was a treaty, and dealt with radio broadcasts from sea going vessals.
Here’s a link form wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_Act_of_1927
The above mentioned legislation dealt with mobile radio braodcasts, sometimes the message was relayed by *ground base stations.We all know that Congress has authority to enter in to treaties, and even treaties are constrained by the Constitution. The First Amendment protects free speeech, so we should expect the fairness doctrine to conform.
So lets take a look at 47 USC SECTION 315, and the regulations(very important) to find out what radio stations are covered, so here it is.
http://www4.law.cornell.edu/usc-cgi/usc_cfr.cgi?title=47§ion=315
http://www4.law.cornell.edu/usc-cgi/usc_cfr.cgi?title=47§ion=315
<<<CFR parts for which 47 USC 315 provides authority
This is a list of parts within the Code of Federal Regulations for which this US Code section provides rulemaking authority. It is taken from the Parallel Table of Authorities provided by NARA at http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/parallel/parallel_table.html. It is not guaranteed to be accurate or up-to-date, though we do refresh the database weekly. More limitations on accuracy are described at the NARA site.
· 47 CFR 22
· 47 CFR 80
· 47 CFR 97
So the first listed authority is 47 CFR 22, listed below are the pertinent parts, this regulation deals with cellular radio, as in hand held units.
<<<Title 47: Telecommunication
Browse Previous | Browse Next
PART 22—PUBLIC MOBILE SERVICES
§ 22.1 Basis and purpose
(a) Basis. These rules are issued pursuant to the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 151 et. seq.
*NOTE et. seg. Means everything after 47 USC 151 which would include 47 USC 315
(a) Purpose. The purpose of these rules is to establish the requirements and conditions under which radio stations may be licensed and used in the Public Mobile Services
(b) § 22.3 Authorization required
Stations in the Public Mobile Services must be used and operated only in accordance with the rules in this part and with a valid authorization granted by the FCC under the provisions of this part.
<<<§ 22.99 Definitions
Mobile station. One or more transmitters that are capable of operation while in motion
Public Mobile Services. Radio services in which licensees are authorized to offer and provide mobile and related fixed radio telecommunication services for hire to the public.
So where is the authority to regulate mobile radio services, does it reside with the FCC or is it part of a treaty or convention, lets consult the definitions provided by the FCC.
<<< Federal Communications Commission
§ 2.1 Terms and definitions.
(a) Where a term or definition appears
in this part of the Commission’s
Rules, it shall be the definitive term or
definition and shall prevail throughout
the Commission’s Rules.
(b) The source of each definition is
indicated as follows:
CONV—International Telecommunication
Convention, Malaga-Torremolinos, 1973.
RR—Radio Regulations, Geneva, 1982.
FCC—Federal Communications Commission.
*Mobile Service. A radiocommunication
service between mobile and land stations,
or between mobile stations.
(CONV)
So the regulations for Mobile Service is based on International Telecommunication
Convention, Malaga-Torremolinos, 1973, a treaty, terms of a treaty are not enforceable in the several states of the union, see Supreme Court decision Downes v. Bidwell. This by definition would eliminate all private radio stations in the several states.
So 47 CFR section 22 has nothing to do with private radio broadcasting stations. that are not cellular by nature.
Now let’s consult 47 USC section 80 for the next authority
TITLE 47—Telecommunication
PART 80—STATIONS IN THE MARITIME SERVICES
§ 80.1 Basis and purpose.
This section contains the statutory basis for this part of the rules and provides the purpose for which this part is issued.
§ 80.5 Definitions
Maritime mobile service. A mobile service between coast stations and ship stations, or between ship stations, or between associated on-board communication stations. Survival craft stations and EPIRB stations also participate in this service.
These regulation have nothing to do with radio stations that aren’t in maritime service (exclusively shore to ship) So lets look at the last regulation 47 CFR 97
PART 97—AMATEUR RADIO SERVICE
§ 97.113 Prohibited transmissions
<<<<<(b) An amateur station shall not engage in any form of broadcasting, nor may an amateur station transmit one-way communications except as specifically provided in these rules; nor shall an amateur station engage in any activity related to program production or news gathering for broadcasting purposes, except that communications directly related to the immediate safety of human life or the protection of property may be provided by amateur stations to broadcasters for dissemination to the public where no other means of communication is reasonably available before or at the time of the event
So the last regulations deal with Amateur Radio Stations, which by definition are not permitted to broadcast.
Has anyone ever seen any one of these radio stations covered by the regulations, which implement 47 USC SECTION 315 with Facilities for candidates for public office. This gets ridicules after a while doesn’t it.?
This is the way Congress operates, write the laws and regulations, to implement the law, with very limited applications. This is very needful, to avoid being struck down by the Supreme Court. Congress is very adept at using public ignorance and so-called experts to ramrod their agenda.
Contact Congressman Mike Pence’s office in Washington. He represents Indiana and is a warrior against the Fairness Doctrine. He is a go-to person for information on what we can do at the local and civil level to keep our free speech and defeat the Fairness Doctrine. Congressman Pence’s contact information is on his website. I apologize for not having it at fingertips. As this issue is brought more and more to the forefront, I will have the Congressman’s contact info.
Folks, if we lose our free speech, even if we allow a slight chipping away, we lose everything.
I say the major radio networks need to refuse to comply if the “Fairness Doctrine” is reinstated. It needs to go to the Supreme Court while we still have a small majority.
Should be one hellava spectacle!
Remember all the lower Federal courts. They can rule (unfavorably) and the SCOTUS doesn't have to review any case they don't choose to hear.
All we need is some KOS kids or DUer to come in and make a few comments on every thread and that should satisfy the requirements.
Free speech is a battle worth fighting for. Don’t let anything close to the old “Fairness” Doctrine be passed.
“But hey, there’s always the shortwave spectrum”
I was just wondering if the Fairness Doctrine would affect shortwave radio. Been thinking about getting one lately.
Shortwave might be a good source for all conservatives in the near future. Already is for good preaching, as you mentioned too.
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