About 20 years ago, Rush Limbaugh launched his nationwide radio broadcast. The airwaves had been recently liberated in 1987 from the Fairness Doctrine by then-President Ronald Reagan.
For roughly forty years, the Fairness Doctrine had prohibited radio stations from airing a monolithic viewpoint on any given issue. Congress in 1959 amended the Communications Act of 1934 to include the Fairness Doctrine: "A broadcast licensee shall afford reasonable opportunity for discussion of conflicting views on matters of public importance.” Ten years later, the Supreme Court upheld its constitutionality, but, as mentioned, the doctrine fell by the wayside.
Rush Limbaugh opened the door for many radio talk show hosts, many of the conservative ilk: Sean Hannity, Gordon Liddy, Michael Reagan, Michael Savage, and others. The radio airwaves - no longer the primary medium in America - were given over to opinionated and often controversial talk shows which I call hate speech.
Liberal talk radio has not been as popular. Studies vary, but anywhere from 76 to 91 percent of talk radio remains conservative. Such an imbalance needs to be addressed. One report shows the following:
- Broadcast TV news, millions/day Liberal 42.1 Conservative 0
- Top 25 newspapers, millions/day Liberal 11.7 Conservative 1.3
- Cable TV news, millions/month Liberal 182.8 Conservative 61.6
- Top talk radio, millions/week Liberal 24.5 Conservative 87.0
- Newsweeklies, millions/week Liberal 8.5 Conservative 0
Nancy Pelosi (Dem-Ca), House Speaker, has indicated her support in seeing the Fairness Doctrine restored. Steny Hoyer (Dem-Md), House Majority Leader, and Senator Jeff Bingaman (Dem-NM) have also expressed support for the return of the Fairness Doctrine.
Some months back, the Obama campaign stated it was not interested in seeing this doctrine restored. I'm not a fan of Rush or any other talk show host for that matter. But, I think something needs to be done about the hate that is filling the air waves. "I do not agree with what that have to say, but I beleive they have the right to say it." Question Should The Fairness Doctrine Be Restored?
5 comments:
good insightful post.
Im didn't know about the fFairness Doctrine. I wondered how FOX did what it did and Rush and his ilk. Very interesting. Thanks for the info.
98% OF ALL BLACK HAIR SALONS SUPPORT THE LIBERAL MEDIA VIEWPOINT ON PUBLIC POLICY. YES, IT IS TIME NOW FOR GOVERNMENT TO "BRING FAIRNESS" TO THE HAIR SALONS OF AMERICA. I PROPOSE A HAIR SALON FAIRNESS ACT. HENCE AND FOREVERMORE, AT LEAST 50% OF THE WOMEN THAT PERFORM SERVICES IN AND AROUND THE HAIR SALON OR RECEIVE ANY SERVICES FROM THE HAIR SALON MUST ACCEPT AND PURPORT THE "CONSERVATIVE" OPINION ON PUBLIC POLICY AND THE OTHER 50% MUST DISCUSS THE LIBERAL VIEW.
WE MUST BE VERY CAREFUL THAT WE DO NOT INVITE GOVERNMENT INTO THE FREE SPEECH AND FREE MARKET LIVES OF EVERY AMERICAN CITIZEN. LIBERAL STATIONS DO NOT WORK BECAUSE THEY DO NOT PRODUCE PROFITS OR MASS CONSUMER ACCEPTABLE CONTENT. YOU HAVE CHOICES, IF HARD PRESSED, SUCH AS AIR AMERICA RADIO, LIBERAL RADIO AND PROGRESSIVE RADIO. ALL OF WHICH CAN BE ASSESSED THROUGH THE INTERNET. IN ADDITION, PER RECENT REPORTS, THE MAJOR NETWORKS--CBS, NBC & ABC--AND MAJOR CABLE OUTLETS--MSNBC AND CNN--ALL HAVE LIBERAL BIASES. EVEN THE WASHINGTON POST OMBUDSMAN REPORTED THAT IT HAD A LIBERAL BIAS AND ACTED AS A PROPAGANDA AGENT FOR THE OBAMA CAMPAIGN.
THE FAIRNESS DOCTRINE IS AN ATTEMPT TO ERADICATE DISSENTING OPINION ON MAINSTAY MEDIA OUTLETS. THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT UPHELD THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATION COMMISSION'S GENERAL RIGHT TO ENFORCE SUCH A POLICY WHERE CHANNELS WERE LIMITED, BUT THE COURTS HAVE GENERALLY NOT RULED THAT THE FCC IS OBLIGED TO DO SO. IN 1987, THE FCC ABOLISHED THE FAIRNESS DOCTRINE, PROMPTING SOME TO URGE ITS REINTRODUCTION THROUGH EITHER COMMISSION POLICY OR CONGRESSIONAL LEGISLATION. THERE IS NO LIMIT TO AIR SPACE. THERE IS HOWEVER, A CONSUMER'S DESIRE TO PURCHASE A PRODUCT. THE AMERICAN PUBLIC IS NOT BUYING THE FAIRNESS DOCTRINE OR THE "NEW" POVERTY STRICKEN LIBERAL MEDIA.
I think the Fairness Doctrine is un-American. We can find things that support our own views in a number of places. I like to listen to the hate-mongers on AM just so I know what they're thinking. Then I get a dose of Keith Olbermann from the left. Throughout the election, I'd come home in the evening and say to my wife, "You won't believe what that jackass Hannity said today." He's a vain, mean-spirited, lying propagandist, but I choose to listen to him so I'm educated on how to argue with those who listen to him.
And notice the right-wingers are all on AM. It's fringe. And if they can support themselves, it is their right to be on the air. A station should not be obligated to air "the other side" out of fairness, unless that side can find sponsors to support them.
My 2¢.
@Revvy Rev thanks for your comment and I am glad you like the article.
@Jackie thanks for your comment and you are welcome.
@Kenneth thanks for your comment and are you part of the black hair SALONS? I was not aware of there political stand.
@Jetpacks thanks for your comment but when hate across the air waves can cause harm to another. it needs to be some check and balance some were.
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