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Revival of the Fairness Doctrine Under Democratic Super Majority
The Fairness Doctrine is something I've worried about in the last few years and it's undoubtedly tantamount to Constitutional hijacking by US Government mandate. The Fairness Doctrine was introduced in 1949 and remained a matter of general policy, and, was applied on a case-by-case basis until 1967, when certain provisions of the doctrine were incorporated into FCC regulations. It did not require equal time for opposing views, but required that contrasting viewpoints be presented. The Fairness Doctrine had two basic elements: It required broadcasters to devote some of their airtime to discussing matters of public interest, and to air contrasting views regarding those matters whether media execs endorsed or outright opposed the content. Lately, some legislators have expressed interest in reinstituting the Fairness Doctrine although none have introduced any bills to do so. John Gizzi, the Political Editor of Human Events, wrote that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told reporters that the Democratic caucus was interested in bringing back the Fairness Doctrine. Senator Richard Durbin has said "It’s time to reinstitute the Fairness Doctrine." Senator John Kerry has said, "Well, I think the Fairness Doctrine ought to be there..." Simply put, The Fairness Doctrine is a government mandate that requires broadcasters offer equal amounts of liberal and conservative commentary, requiring Internet web sites and bloggers that offer political commentary to present opposing points of view including but not limited to the Internet, newspapers, cable TV and satellite radio. Both Regean and H. Bush vetoed bills to revive the act during their terms as president. The question is, with a unilateral Democratic super majority rule in both branches with the Judiciary soon to follow, is this what we can expect from an Obama Administration meanwhile banning WFTV station further access to his presidential campaign until after the November 4th election. (see http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-124769) The liberal elite media is doing a bang-up job as it is and the revival of the Fairness Doctrine even under a different presumed name will violate the First Amendment Rights of everyone who wishes to publicly express and publish their political opinion or editorialize and remains a flat out form of censorship. You won't be able to participate in call-in talk radio without giving two scoops and equal consideration whether or not you oppose or endorse the content. In a few words, it's simply a government mandate that silences political opposition and it's morally reprehensible. Last time I checked, this was the United States of America, not Iran, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela or Cuba.
- TAGS:
- election08,
- fairness,
- doctrine
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