Spring Break
Column: Fairness Doctrine bad news for media
Greg Sainer/Columnist
Issue date: 2/18/09 Section: Opinions
Recently, talk has arisen in mostly conservative and free speech circles about the resurrection of the Fairness Doctrine. For those who don't know, the Fairness Doctrine was an FCC policy introduced in 1949 that required broadcast license-holders to present controversial public issues in a balanced manner. Basically, both sides of a political or social issue were required to be presented by television and radio stations that might carry talk or news programs.
In 1987, the FCC repealed the Fairness Doctrine, mainly citing violation of the First Amendment as a reason. However, following this past election, several Democratic members of Congress, joined by former president Bill Clinton, have stated they would support a reinstatement of the Fairness Doctrine. Clinton and other supporters have all stated a need for balance between right and left wing opinions in the talk radio spectrum, most notably singling out radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh. This balancing has been presented as a promotion of bipartisanship and a chance for the American people to hear a fair and equal view on social and political issues, all through rebuttal of right-wing radio talk-show hosts by a left-wing counterpart. That is where the problem lies.
The resurrection of the Fairness Doctrine is, in essence, an attempt by Democrats to push their liberal ideology onto conservative and undecided radio listeners. So far, the Democrats do not appear they wish to practice bipartisanship at all, such as during the recent debate and passage of the economic stimulus bill. A lack of willingness to entertain Republican requests for more tax cuts and smaller-government policies has given conservatives the feeling that anything labeled "fair" or "bipartisan" by Democrats simply means whatever will give liberal ideology and policy the advantage.
If the Fairness Doctrine is enacted or brought back by the FCC, the right to free speech -including the right to criticize - of right wing pundits is greatly hindered, if not violated. A little-considered right also comes into play in discussion about the Fairness Doctrine: the rights of listeners. With America's population of around 300 million, the variety of listening choices made each day is astounding. The choices available give all of us the opportunity to hear people we agree with share political information and ideas when we want to hear them.
Despite the allegations that right wing radio makes up the majority of talk radio shows, liberal talk radio exists and is widespread enough to be easily found. Also, the mainstream media has been leaning towards the left for years, even before 1987. Basically, if the Democrats feel right wing talk radio is leaning so heavily on them, perhaps talk radio is criticizing them correctly about whatever is being discussed. The First Amendment gives us the right to voice our opinions about our government's actions and to hear those opinions stated. If that right is taken away, no matter how much in the interest of bipartisanship, our government is no better than that of the former Soviet Union.
Greg Sainer is a freshman chemistry major. He can be reached at 581-7942 or at DENopinions@gmail.com.
In 1987, the FCC repealed the Fairness Doctrine, mainly citing violation of the First Amendment as a reason. However, following this past election, several Democratic members of Congress, joined by former president Bill Clinton, have stated they would support a reinstatement of the Fairness Doctrine. Clinton and other supporters have all stated a need for balance between right and left wing opinions in the talk radio spectrum, most notably singling out radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh. This balancing has been presented as a promotion of bipartisanship and a chance for the American people to hear a fair and equal view on social and political issues, all through rebuttal of right-wing radio talk-show hosts by a left-wing counterpart. That is where the problem lies.
The resurrection of the Fairness Doctrine is, in essence, an attempt by Democrats to push their liberal ideology onto conservative and undecided radio listeners. So far, the Democrats do not appear they wish to practice bipartisanship at all, such as during the recent debate and passage of the economic stimulus bill. A lack of willingness to entertain Republican requests for more tax cuts and smaller-government policies has given conservatives the feeling that anything labeled "fair" or "bipartisan" by Democrats simply means whatever will give liberal ideology and policy the advantage.
If the Fairness Doctrine is enacted or brought back by the FCC, the right to free speech -including the right to criticize - of right wing pundits is greatly hindered, if not violated. A little-considered right also comes into play in discussion about the Fairness Doctrine: the rights of listeners. With America's population of around 300 million, the variety of listening choices made each day is astounding. The choices available give all of us the opportunity to hear people we agree with share political information and ideas when we want to hear them.
Despite the allegations that right wing radio makes up the majority of talk radio shows, liberal talk radio exists and is widespread enough to be easily found. Also, the mainstream media has been leaning towards the left for years, even before 1987. Basically, if the Democrats feel right wing talk radio is leaning so heavily on them, perhaps talk radio is criticizing them correctly about whatever is being discussed. The First Amendment gives us the right to voice our opinions about our government's actions and to hear those opinions stated. If that right is taken away, no matter how much in the interest of bipartisanship, our government is no better than that of the former Soviet Union.
Greg Sainer is a freshman chemistry major. He can be reached at 581-7942 or at DENopinions@gmail.com.
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