Fair or Foul: Fairness Doctrine Is Out of Bounds
- Oct 9, 2007 - 1
The liberal agenda has for quite some time driven the major television news networks and most newspapers, serving up Americans with a largely one-sided perspective on political issues. But those on the Left are poised now to take control of talk radio, the communication medium dominated by conservative voices, unless a band of conservative lawmakers convinces them the policy is in foul territory.
If you value the First Amendment right to freedom of speech and believe the American people, not the government, should determine what types of issues are broadcast on the airwaves, please tell your congressman to support the Broadcaster Freedom Act (H.R. 2905).
Many people are concerned that under a future administration the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) could reinstate the Fairness Doctrine, a 1949 policy that remained on the books for nearly four decades, requiring broadcasters to present opposing viewpoints on political issues. The FCC abolished the doctrine in 1987, contending the policy had run its course and violated the First Amendment.
A growing bloc of lawmakers, fearing a future administration could resurrect the Fairness Doctrine, is taking steps to keep the policy buried for good. Reps. Mike Pence (R-IN) and Greg Walden (R-OR) sent letters last week to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), and Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman John Dingell (D-MI) demanding that they set a vote by Oct. 12 on legislation to drive the final nail in the Fairness Doctrine’s coffin.
The letter came in the wake of rhetoric by some members of Congress who threw punches last week at Rush Limbaugh, the heavyweight of conservative talk radio, by misconstruing comments he made about our men and women in uniform.
The legislation introduced by Reps. Pence and Walden, the Broadcaster Freedom Act (H.R. 2905), would prevent any future administration from reinstating “the requirement that broadcasters present opposing viewpoints on controversial issues of public importance.” It currently has an impressive 203 cosponsors, just shy of the 218 needed for the House Republican minority to demand a floor vote. All Republicans have attached their names to the bill; just one Democrat, Rep. John Yarmuth (KY), has so far issued support.
Ironically, 113 Democrats in June voted in favor of an amendment offered by Rep. Pence that would prohibit the FCC from using funds under the Financial Services Appropriations bill to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine. That language, however, would expire after fiscal year 2008.
Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN) is sponsoring the Broadcaster Freedom Act (S. 1748) in the Senate.
What lawmakers who support the Fairness Doctrine seem to be missing is that free-market principles apply not just to businesses like Wal-Mart and Target but to radio as well. The virtual absence of liberal radio commentary is due to its failure to attract wide audiences. Air America Radio, a network created in 2004 of liberal radio programs, filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in October 2006 for lack of listeners. As part of a “re-launch” in May, Air America broadcasted interviews with several Democratic presidential contenders, hoping to allure more listeners. Still, it appears most Americans are likely to keep tuning them out and instead turn to conservative talk.
Under the Fairness Doctrine, the First Amendment right of freedom of speech would be cast aside and the government would be empowered to insure equal time for opposing viewpoints. Consequently, many talk radio stations would switch to music for fear of violating the policy. Those who would be affected by the policy include not just figures like Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity, but Christian radio talk show hosts such as ERLC President Richard Land.
The Fairness Doctrine should be considered a foul ball in anyone’s rule book. If you value the First Amendment right to freedom of speech and believe the American people, not the government, should determine what types of issues are broadcast on the airwaves, please tell your congressman to support the Broadcaster Freedom Act (H.R. 2905).
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1 comments (post your own) feed
1 On Oct 10th, 2007, at 10:12am, Nathan Falco wrote:
Kudos to the ERLC staff for taking a tough stand on this piece of legislation; no matter what political or religious camp you come from, showing respect for others’ right to speak their minds is basic to human dignity.
Now, how about seeing some high-octane action on the part of Republicans in response to the proposed “grassroots lobbying bill” aimed directly at all church and para-church ministries?