Free speech in broadcasting threatened by Fairness Doctrine

New American, The, April 28, 2008

If Democrat leaders get their way, the Fairness Doctrine, a policy abolished by the Federal Communications Commission in 1987, will be reinstated to regulate the opinions aired by broadcasters. Talk-radio and religious broadcasters would be significantly impacted. Democrat leadership has called for it, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Half a century ago when stations were few, the FCC required broadcasters to provide air time (paid or unpaid) for opposing viewpoints about controversial issues of public importance (as determined by bureaucrats). Offending the FCC resulted in fines or a loss of broadcasting privileges. That intimidated broadcasters into self-censorship, thus abridging their constitutionally guaranteed right to free speech. Making matters worse, foxes were in charge of the chicken coop. Both Democrat and Republican administrations in the '60s and '70s manipulated the FCC, using the Fairness Doctrine litigation threat to silence opposition, under the pretext of enforcing the fair use of scarce frequencies. In 1987, the FCC revoked the Fairness Doctrine.

To prevent reinstatement of the Fairness Doctrine "The Broadcaster Freedom Act of 2007" was introduced in the House as H.R. 2905 and in the Senate as S. 1748. For more information, go to www.thenewamerican.com/node/7658.>

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