Keep the Airwaves Free of the Fairness DoctrinePosted by Kevin on January 14th, 2009
Leading Democrats are pushing to restore the “Fairness Doctrine” - an antiquated idea which would effectively silence critics of the government. This blatant attempt to quash those who disagree with the Democrats should offend all who cherish their First Amendment right to Freedom of Speech. The right to speak one’s mind is diminished - and effectively silenced - if it cannot find a voice on the radio, television, or the internet. The American people should not have to get approval from bureaucrats in Washington before they speak their mind on any given issue. Republicans in the Congress agree with that sentiment - and have The bill, introduced January 7, 2009, by Congressman Mike Pence (R-IN), chairman of the House Republican Conference, Congressman Greg Walden (R-OR), Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC), chairman of the Senate Steering Committee, and Senator John Thune (R-SD), Vice Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, would prevent the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from reinstating the Fairness Doctrine, which would suppress free speech by requiring the government to monitor political views and decide what constitutes fair political discourse. The Pence-Walden bill in the House already has over 100 cosponsors including Republican Leader Boehner. Congressman Pence’s Press Release on Jan. 7th noted:
The irony of those who advocate the return of the Fairness Doctrine is that there are more sources of news and opinion - from more points of view - today than ever before. Perhaps, in an era when Americans relied one or two sources, primarily newspapers and the three broadcast networks, for news and information, a case that that information should be regulated for “equal time” could be made. Today, however, the amount of information available is simply astounding and gives Americans more options than ever before. City Journal noted in a Spring 2007 article:
There are few rights more precious to Americans than freedom of speech. We will vigorously defend that right, and we urge the 111th Congress to adopt the Broadcaster Freedom Act of 2009 without delay. This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 14th, 2009 at 4:00 pm and is filed under fairness doctrine. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. Leave a Reply |
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