2008 Woodie Awards
Protect our media from government interference
Maggie Willis
Issue date: 7/18/07 Section: Editorial
I don't normally listen to talk radio. To me, the radio is for music, not for listening to a bunch of old, conservative men talk about politics or sports.
Lately, however, there's been a controversial uprising over the Fairness Doctrine.
Ever heard of the Fairness Doctrine? I hadn't. But after hearing about it in snippets on the radio and television for weeks, I finally gave in and researched it.
Apparently my history classes in high school failed me, because the Fairness Doctrine is not new.
It actually came out in the late 40s as a regulation of the Federal Communications Commission that required broadcast licensees to present controversial issues of public importance in an honest and balanced manner.
The Fairness Doctrine was eventually abolished in 1987, as it was deemed unconstitutional.
Now, several liberal politicians like John Kerry, Dick Durbin and Dennis Kucinich are loudly demanding its resurrection.
At first glance, this Fairness Doctrine thing looked pretty good to me. It seemed like a good idea to have radio stations present both sides to political issues and such.
However, here's the problem: the Fairness Doctrine basically takes airtime normally devoted to conservative conversation and cuts it in half to provide for liberal views.
Radio is a business, and like any other business, their main concern is understandably money. Conservative talk sells well, liberal talk doesn't.
People have never accused me of being conservative, but that doesn't keep me from seeing the unfairness of the Fairness Doctrine.
It isn't fair to cause radio stations to lose money in some liberal power trip. Besides, free discussion and debate can never truly occur when restricted by regulations.
Fortunately, the House of Representatives voted 309-115 at the end of June against allowing the FCC to reinstate the regulation.
However, free media is not yet in the clear. The fact that something as detrimental to free media as the Fairness Doctrine was brought up in the first place does not bode well, but now there's even more to worry about.
Lately, however, there's been a controversial uprising over the Fairness Doctrine.
Ever heard of the Fairness Doctrine? I hadn't. But after hearing about it in snippets on the radio and television for weeks, I finally gave in and researched it.
Apparently my history classes in high school failed me, because the Fairness Doctrine is not new.
It actually came out in the late 40s as a regulation of the Federal Communications Commission that required broadcast licensees to present controversial issues of public importance in an honest and balanced manner.
The Fairness Doctrine was eventually abolished in 1987, as it was deemed unconstitutional.
Now, several liberal politicians like John Kerry, Dick Durbin and Dennis Kucinich are loudly demanding its resurrection.
At first glance, this Fairness Doctrine thing looked pretty good to me. It seemed like a good idea to have radio stations present both sides to political issues and such.
However, here's the problem: the Fairness Doctrine basically takes airtime normally devoted to conservative conversation and cuts it in half to provide for liberal views.
Radio is a business, and like any other business, their main concern is understandably money. Conservative talk sells well, liberal talk doesn't.
People have never accused me of being conservative, but that doesn't keep me from seeing the unfairness of the Fairness Doctrine.
It isn't fair to cause radio stations to lose money in some liberal power trip. Besides, free discussion and debate can never truly occur when restricted by regulations.
Fortunately, the House of Representatives voted 309-115 at the end of June against allowing the FCC to reinstate the regulation.
However, free media is not yet in the clear. The fact that something as detrimental to free media as the Fairness Doctrine was brought up in the first place does not bode well, but now there's even more to worry about.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 2
Helen
posted 7/31/07 @ 6:21 AM CST
The Fairness Doctrine is a relic of the 1950's and the Cold war. As far as I remember, the Germans tore down the Berlin Wall. What's the need anymore, the media censors itself and offers paid junkets to employees of the FCC. (Continued…)
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