Conservative Radio Giant Michael Savage Joins with TMLC to Challenge Fairness Doctrine

Thomas More Law Center ^ | February 18, 2009

[Delacon]

ANN ARBOR, MI – Conservative talk-radio host Michael Savage and the Thomas More Law Center, a national public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, have joined forces to challenge the so-called “Fairness Doctrine.”  Several liberal senators and former President Bill Clinton have made recent threats to muzzle talk radio by reinstituting the Doctrine, which is reminiscent of a totalitarian state and not a free democratic society. 

“Michael Savage is the personification of what the liberals hate about conservative talk radio, and we’re proud to represent him in this crucial battle to preserve the grand purpose of political speech protected by the First Amendment,” said Richard Thompson, President and Chief Counsel of the Law Center.

Democrat politicians such as Senator Debbie Stabanow, Senator Tom Harkin, and former President Clinton have called for hearings on radio “fairness” and the passage of a law that will have the effect of silencing the conservative voice on important political issues. 

“With the stink of public corruption blanketing Washington, with our elected officials passing the single largest spending bill in our nation’s history without even reading or debating it, with the increasing nationalization of our financial institutions, with almost dictatorial control of Congress by one political party, and with increasing signs we are becoming a socialistic country, Americans need more dynamic talk show hosts like Savage, not less,” said Thompson. 

Michael Savage’s nationally syndicated radio show, The Savage Nation, is one of the highest-rated talk shows in the country.  Millions of faithful listeners hear it each week.  Dr. Savage coined the phrases “Compassionate Conservative” and “Islamo-Fascist,” now widely used by Republican speechwriters.

Conservative talk-radio hosts such as Dr. Savage have been so effective in rallying public outcry against many aspects of the liberal agenda that Democrat politicians have increasingly called for a return to the “Fairness Doctrine,” Orwellian- speak for censorship.

Thompson commented, “If the Doctrine is so fair, why are the liberals limiting it only to radio?  Why not television, the internet, and all the print media?” 

The Fairness Doctrine, first introduced in 1949, required radio stations to broadcast opposing views on any matter of public importance they discussed.  However, in 1987, President Reagan directed that it be abandoned.  Since then, Democrats have made several unsuccessful attempts to reinstate the Doctrine.

With total Democrat control of the federal government, the Fairness Doctrine can be reinstituted by a regulation of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) or by Congressional enactment.  Whatever form its reinstatement may take, any limitation on the Free Speech rights of Michael Savage will result in an immediate legal action.  The U. S. Supreme Court would most likely find any reinstatement of the Doctrine unconstitutional.

Thompson continued, “A regulation of speech motivated by nothing more than a desire to silence political opposition on controversial issues of public interest is the purest example of a law abridging the freedom of speech.  Such action is the hallmark of totalitarian governments, not a free society.”

Law Center attorney Robert Muise has already been assigned as the lead attorney representing Dr. Savage.  The Law Center is receiving offers of assistance from attorneys across the nation who are outraged at this threat to free speech. 

Savage is a longtime on-air supporter of the Thomas More Law Center.  He used his radio show to marshal overwhelming support for one of the Law Center’s clients, Marine LtCol Jeffrey Chessani.  Chessani is being prosecuted by the government in the so-called Haditha massacre – a massacre that never happened.  A military judge ultimately dismissed the case.  However, the government appealed.  No decision has yet been made by the appeals court.

The Thomas More Law Center defends and promotes America’s Christian heritage and moral values, including the religious freedom of Christians, time-honored family values, and the sanctity of human life.  It supports a strong national defense and an independent and sovereign United States of America.  The Law Center accomplishes its mission through litigation, education, and related activities.  It does not charge for its services.  The Law Center is supported by contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations, and is recognized by the IRS as a section 501(c)(3) organization.  You may reach the Thomas More Law Center at (734) 827-2001 or visit our website at www.thomasmore.org.

[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

[NavyCanDo]

I can’t stand Savages radio show, but good luck to him on this battle he is spearheading.

[dfwgator]

We need all the help we can get.

[gorilla_warrior]

God Bless Michael Savage. There is no one in the media with more courage and more willingness to put himself on the line.

[netmilsmom]

When Savage is off his meds, he is nutty. But when he is on, he is right as rain. Sometimes I think he’s on crack.

I can listen to him for a bit then I have to turn him off. Mostly it’s when I run to the store at 10pm. We have a choice in Detroit, him or Dr. Laura. I really can’t stand her.

At this point, any of the conservatives that will back the screaming with actual cash has my support. We don’t have a George Soros. Rush, Hannity and Levin are talking but so far, only Savage has stepped up. Good for him.

[pepsionice]

I think today’s effort to paint the pro-Fairness Doctrine folks into the internet landscape...probably was a huge slam on the agenda. Any attempt to bring FD into internet radio or control of blogs...will be knocked to the ground quickly...and I think this is the best tactic to keep drawing the internet into this conversation.

The thing that people should take from this continuing conversation...is that some folks now believe that Obama could be taken down in 2012...with the help of radio. I would have said four years ago that this would be almost impossible...but times have changed...and I think the economic discussion over the next three years....will only pour gas over a fire.

[DTogo]

Hence, the name: Savage

[Born In America]

Obama could be taken down in 2012

With the 75b bailout of life's losers today in the housing market, look for 2010 to be more than a beginning. There are serious rumblings out there that he has gone so far left of left in less than a month that he may be neutered quickly in 2010....

[fishtank]

If we can influence enough blue dog democrats, it can happen faster than that.........

[Invincibly Ignorant]

God Bless Michael Savage. There is no one in the media with more courage and more willingness to put himself on the line.

You mean "willingness to self-promote." He's an embarrassment to conservatives everywhere.

[xkaydet65]

Yes we need all the help we can get because there is established SCOTUS law on this subject that upholds the Fairness Doctrine and in the early years of the Reagan Admin the First Circuit Court of Appeals reaffirmed the SCOTUS judgement with the opinion being written by the then First Circuit judges Scalia and Bork.

[Delacon]

Not many know that it was Scalia and Bork that made that ruling. Props. However, it wasn’t so much a reaffirmation as it was a weak ruling by saying that the FCC was allowed but not required to enforce the fairness doctrine. One can only hope the with the internet and satelite radio, things have changed enough that SCOTUS might throw the fairness docrine out all together.

[Delacon]

Not a big Savage fan myself. The reason I posted this article was to highlight that The Thomas More Law Center is on the case. We need organizations like this to take it up a notch. Stating our case on FR and on the radio is only the first step. Btw, the The American Center for Law and Justice is also stepping up. Read:
ACLJ ready to do battle against 'Fairness Doctrine'
OneNewsNow ^ | 2/18/2009 | Charlie Butts and Jody Brown
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2188461/posts?page=3

[Reaganwuzthebest]

The U. S. Supreme Court would most likely find any reinstatement of the Doctrine unconstitutional.

We hope. They did allow Campaign Finance Reform to stand.

[Delacon]

“We hope. They did allow Campaign Finance Reform to stand.”

You are talking about McConnell v. FEC right? That was pre-Scalia and Roberts. But yes, a lot of hope is involved.

[Delacon]

Correction. Pre-Roberts.

[netmilsmom]

>>He’s an embarrassment to conservatives everywhere. <<

Who else is doing anything?
Where is our George Soros?

[Reaganwuzthebest]

Pre-Roberts.

That could be why barry says no, he probably figures the votes on the Court aren't there to sustain it anyway and it makes him look more moderate.

[Delacon]

“That could be why barry says no, he probably figures the votes on the Court aren't there to sustain it anyway and it makes him look more moderate.”

Obama will sign off on any bill that happens to have the fairness doctrine buried in it. As sure as God made little green apples.