Posted on 02/22/2009 2:50:47 PM PST by Syncro
by Priscilla King
In 1987, the Fairness Doctrine was repealed, and even daytime radio and TV shows were free to present detailed discussions of news events. The most obvious result was the rise of "talk show" superstars who did not merely moderate call-in "straw votes" or recite news headlines, but actually tried to discuss and analyze news events on the air. Rush Limbaugh and Oprah...
(Excerpt) Read more at associatedcontent.com ...
Much more here too...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/search?m=all;o=time;q=quick;s=Fairness%20Doctrine
Here's part of another one with Jim DeMint's take on it:
More at the hotlink in the title.NEWS WATCH: US Fairness Doctrine Threatens Christian Radio
Sunday, February 22, 2009 (3:45 pm)By Joseph DeCaro, BosNewsLife International Correspondent
WASHINGTON, D.C., USA (BosNewsLife) -- A high ranking American senator will force a vote next week to prevent the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from reinstating the 'Fairness Doctrine', amid fears it could jeopardize Christian radio and conservative talk shows.
Republican Jim DeMint, who chairs the Senate Steering Committee, said his anti-Doctrine bill would halt attempts by the FCC to "censor" opinionated programs, and suggested the White House supported his proposal, BosNewsLife learned Sunday, February 22.
"Im glad President Barack Obama finally confirmed his opposition to the Fairness Doctrine, which attacks the right of free speech on talk radio, explained DeMint. "But many Democrats in Congress are still pushing [the Doctrine]. With the support of the new administration, now is the time for Congress to take a stand against this kind of censorship."
He added he wanted to push for an amendment within the next few days "so every senator is on record: Do you support free speech or do you want to silence voices you disagree with?"
"CONTRASTING VIEWS"
The 'Fairness Doctrine' mandated from 1949 to 1987 that broadcasters presented contrasting views on controversial issues.
Yet, instead of bringing political diversity to the airways, the Fairness Doctrine had a "chilling effect" on broadcasting debate as many networks ceased airing controversial opinions to avoid giving opponents free airtime, critics said.
Amid mounting pressure, the FCC determined in 1985 that the Fairness Doctrine may have violated the First Amendment of the Constitution. Two years later courts ruled that the FCC was no longer obligated to enforce it as it wasnt mandated by Congress. Soon after, Congress attempted to pass legislation restoring the Doctrine, but Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush vetoed the bills.
freepers unite
Do not call this the “Fairness Doctrine”
It is the Censorship Doctrine. Orwellians must NOT be permitted to practice doublethink on us.
NOTHING will draw more people to hear the conservative message than by trying to censor or supress it. Think about it...
Don't fall for it.
Using the term that it has been named is the way to fight against it.
Of course we know it is all about censorship.
BTTT
Sounds like the “Unfairness Doctrine” to me.
Do you understand the term doublethink? It is a propaganda technique that inures sheeple people to the reality. It is the sheeple people who need tot be hit upside the head with reality.
We shall have to agree to disagree.
BTW, Hannity is already using the term Censorship Doctrine.
Phrasing the argument like this bumps the whole issue up against the 1st Ammendment, where it should be.
DeMint Quote:
"I intend to seek a vote on this amendment next week so every senator is on the record," ... "Do you support Free Speech or do you want to silence voices you disagree with?"
You make a valid point.
But when Senator DeMint drafts an amendment to keep the "fairness doctrine" from being reinstated if he calls it the "censorship doctrine" in the amendment it will go nowhere.
Collectively, conservative talk radio has tens of millions of listeners. From the syndicated Big Names (Limbaugh, Hannity, etc) to your local guy on the 1,000 watt station, the conservative talk show hosts will scream bloody murder and rally millions of listeners to the cause of exposing the 'Fairness Doctrine' as a blatant, unconstitutional suppression of political speech, aimed at silencing conservative opinion on the radio airwaves by an over-reaching, Democrat political machine in Washington, now drunk with power and acting like Fascists while posing as 'protectors' of 'fairness'.
Not to mention the fact that syndication companies and AM radio station owners will band together to stop the suppression of conservative talk radio, for pure financial survival if not for political ideology. These entities have money and would keep this in court for years.
While I'm concerned about a resurrection of the hated 'Fairness Doctrine", I believe that, ultimately, it would be 'a bridge too far' for Democrats and would fail, while exposing the Obama administration and more importantly, the Democrat party and it's congressional partisans (Pelosi, specifically) as anti-free speech.
I hope the left realizes this and abandons ideas of trying to re-instate the Fairness Doctrine but I fear that they are so besotted with their power (and Obama's lofty poll numbers) that they'll foolishly try - and ultimately, fail.
Good points, thanks.
Yes it does!
“reinsating” it would be series and hugh!
It should be referred to as “censorship in the form of the UNFAIR “Fairness Doctrine”.
"While I'm concerned about a resurrection of the hated 'Fairness Doctrine", I believe that, ultimately, it would be 'a bridge too far' for Democrats"[Emphasis added]You mean the institution of socialism on a massive and pervasive scale isn't? America is well and truly "F"ed.
Does anyone ever consider National Public Radio and other liberal talk radio when they look at the talk radio situation? Heck, the governments subsidize that.
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