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What most Americans take for granted - the right for
radio broadcasters to discuss the news and
current issue topics of their choice - is in jeopardy. Senior members
of Congress are gravely
concerned that "talk radio" has been unduly critical of
the new Democratic controlled Congress and
they are threatening to shut them down.
Coming Soon!
7/5/07: "Fake
Right, Thrust Left" by Horace Cooper for TownHall.com
EXCERPT: "Late last month the Center for the
American Progress released a report entitled “the Structural Imbalance
of Talk Radio.” The study purportedly provides a seriously analysis
of the partisan programming that exists on talk radio and concludes
that it is overwhelming right of center. Notwithstanding the pseudo-scientific
nature of this report, it’s clearly more pseudo than science..."
4/16/07: Fairness
Doctrine or Freedom Doctrine
EXCERPT: "Moves are afoot among liberals to
revive the defunct "Fairness Doctrine." That was a regulation
issued by the Federal Communications Commission which required
broadcast licensees to present "both sides" of controversial
issues, and present them in what the FCC deemed... "
11/14/07: "Nearly
all House GOPers back Pence’s discharge petition on Fairness Doctrine",
by Jackie Kucinich for The
Hill
EXCERPT: "One hundred ninety-four out of 200
House Republicans are backing the effort to block the anticipated
revival of the Fairness Doctrine, which they believe is a tool
Democrats will use to cut down on the number of conservative radio
talk shows. The Fairness Doctrine was discarded by the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) during the Reagan administration
in 1985. Not one Democrat has signed the petition, which requires
218 signatures to trigger a vote..."
4/16/07: Fairness
Doctrine or Freedom Doctrine?, by William G. Otis
EXCERPT: "Moves are afoot among liberals to
revive the defunct "Fairness Doctrine." That was a regulation
issued by the Federal Communications Commission which required
broadcast licensees to present "both sides" of controversial
issues, and present them in what the FCC deemed..."
Accuracy in Media Special Report: Left-Wing
Censorship Campaign Targets Conservative Media, by Cliff Kinkaid
EXCERPT: "In his classic work about Washington
double-standards that benefit the national Democratic Party, It
Didn’t Start With Watergate, Victor Lasky described how Democratic
administrations were guilty of some of the same things that forced
the resignation of Republican President Richard Nixon, such as
the use of “dirty tricks” against the opposition and compiling
an “enemies list” of media critics... This time, the “conspiracy”
is out in the open, as Accuracy in Media (AIM), the nation’s oldest
and most respected media watchdog organization, has uncovered
a plan to silence conservative voices in the media. All of the
progress that conservatives have made in the media over the last
several decades is now in jeopardy..."
Left-wing
Censorship Campaign Targets Conservative Media by Cliff Kincaid
for Accuracy in Media
EXCERPT: "In his classic work about Washington
double-standards that benefit the national Democratic Party, It
Didn’t Start With Watergate, Victor Lasky described how Democratic
administrations were guilty of some of the same things that forced
the resignation of Republican President Richard Nixon, such as
the use of “dirty tricks” against the opposition and compiling
an “enemies list” of media critics..."
Law Review: The
Fairness Doctrine: A Solution in Search of a Problem, by Adrian
Cronauer
EXCERPT: "This Article examines the history
of the Fairness Doctrine and the more common arguments offered
in support of it. If the Fairness Doctrine, as interpreted by
the Commission, upheld by the courts, and encouraged by Congress(note
1) were to be reinstituted, it would actually decrease the likelihood
of public exposure to varying viewpoints by discouraging broadcasters
from covering controversial issues. Furthermore, market forces
are achieving the intended effect of the Fairness Doctrine without
directly restraining broadcasters. Today's media-rich environment
and the concurrent evolution of individual media outlets catering
to specific constituencies, has already allowed the "invisible
hand" phenomenon to work in the marketplace of ideas, just
as it does in the commercial marketplace. As a result, the marketplace
is achieving the sort of diversity and access the Fairness Doctrine
was designed to foster but could never attain. Therefore, the
Fairness Doctrine is not necessary in today's media, even though
many commentators are trying to revitalize it."
Congressman Mike Pense's (R-IN) Discharge
Petition
EXCERPT from Pense Statement: "Following calls
from many in Congress to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine, House
Republicans have responded in force. As of today, every Republican
in Congress has cosponsored the Broadcaster Freedom Act and millions
who cherish the dynamic forum of American talk radio should be
thankful. House Republicans know that bringing back the Fairness
Doctrine would amount to government control over political views
expressed on the public airwaves. The Broadcaster Freedom Act
will prevent the FCC or any future President from reinstating
the Fairness Doctrine. This legislation ensures freedom will remain
the anthem of our radio airwaves..."
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