Posted on 06/08/2011 9:50:49 AM PDT by Sub-Driver
FCC chairman agrees to strike Fairness Doctrine from rule books By Gautham Nagesh - 06/08/11 12:12 PM ET
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski said his agency will remove the Fairness Doctrine from the rule books in response to a recent request from House Republicans.
"I fully support deleting the Fairness Doctrine and related provisions from the Code of Federal Regulations, so that there can be no mistake that what has been a dead letter is truly dead," Genachowski wrote in a letter Monday to House Energy and Commerce Chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.).
"I look forward to effectuating this change when acting on the staff's recommendations and anticipate that the process can be completed in the near future."
Genachowski has frequently voiced his opposition to the rule, which required broadcasters to cover controversial public issues in a manner deemed fair and balanced by the FCC.
The Commission stopped enforcing the rule in 1987 after concluding it was unconstitutional, but in recent years some Democrats have suggested reviving the policy in response to the increasingly partisan nature of cable news.
Upton and Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) wrote to Genachowski last month asking him to strike the rule, citing the Obama administration's ongoing effort to clear up outdated regulations.
Genachowski agreed with the lawmakers' request, but noted the doctrine is already dead without a fresh vote from the Commission.
"In my view, the Fairness Doctrine holds the potential to chill free speech and the free flow of ideas and, accordingly, was properly abandoned," Genachowski said.
The lawmakers praised the FCC chairman for complying with their request and asked for details of the process in a letter sent Wednesday.
“We are heartened by your continued opposition to the Fairness Doctrine because of its chilling effects on free speech and the free flow of ideas,” Upton and Walden wrote.
“When precisely will you eliminate the Fairness Doctrine and related regulations? What is involved? Do you have the support of your fellow commissioners? How long will it take?”
The pair also asked for details of the FCC's other efforts at deregulation, including estimates of how many jobs the efforts would produce.
Ohhhh, the DUmmies will NOT be pleased....
WOW! This is an Obama pick, too! Looks like Obama got ‘Souter’ed.
John? Did you write this? John?
Wow, we keep winning lately. And Holder’s butt will fry soon, starting Monday.
Once Holder is gone all hell breaks loose. It’s going to be a great summer.
If this is true, it’s a great day in America. But it hasn’t happened yet, and considering this is an Obama nominee, I’ll save the celebration until it actually happens. Call me cynical, but we’ve been burned before. Fool me once...
Then let’s move on to “Net Neutrality” and FCC control of the web then...
Somehow, I must suspect that there is a much stronger provision somewhere in the 2700 pages of Obamacare. Of course there is “hope” that Julius is not really a true member of the Cabal.
Yep. There’s always a catch with them. (Increased local licensing rules?)
Me thinks they will add it back in if no law is past banning it.
“Hello, Mr. Sharpton? I’m from the KKK. Under the Fairness Doctrine rule, I demand equal time on your station.”
“Hello, Christian Broadcasters? I’m an atheist. I demand
equal time.”
Freedom of the press. Freedom of speech. Shall not be abridged.
Actually, it could be that they realized such a law would impact the Left much more than the Right since the Left has the majority of news outlets on its side. What, after all, would happen to the character of NPR? [rehetorical question]
Does he have the power to simply delete this? Not that I’m complaining but it seems if this is done, then there can be little objection to his department simply ‘deleting’ something else when the mood strikes.
Fresh Air With Terri Gross AND LAURA INGRAHAM
Be careful what you wish for, libs.
Isn’t broadcasting considered part of the press? Can we as conservatives walk into the NY Times and demand equal time?
(Of course “these are the public airwaves”, it’s said. But people buy broadcasting licenses and have the right to run what they want. Cable TV is a bit of a slippery slope,
though...it’s not a broadcast signal just anybody could pick up.)
The liberal domination of media was challenged by the FCC NOT enforcing the FD in the late 80s. Along came Rush...
“I _am_ equal time!”...and the rest is history.
There is something rotten in Copenhagen!!! BEWARE of the Ides of the Bamster.
He will delete it. Then Obama will put it back in and execute it by fiat.
There are more than enough sources of media out there, so all views are being heard. Especially with the Internet. We can’t have a “Fairness Doctrine” forcing unpopular talk hosts onto the air. In the free marketplace of ideas, you have the right to compete and do your best—and if you can’t stand the heat
(Air America), get out of the kitchen! Only the strong survive.
Why shouldn’t he? He’s got net “neutrality” with which to work now. That could be MUCH more effective than the unFairness Doctrine.
Few see it that way, but you’re right - the FD sword cuts both ways, although the libs are too dumb to realize it. If they ever do succeed in getting it re-enacted it will not change anything, but will stimulate more ways of getting the conservative message out, including over what are now considered to be “liberal airwaves”.
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