Former President Carter Tells Phoenix Radio Station He Opposes the Fairness Doctrine

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Recently, past and present Democratic politicians have spoken out in favor of reinstituting the Fairness Doctrine.

Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., said it was "absolutely time to pass a standard." Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, came out with a similar message, saying, "We need the Fairness Doctrine back." And former President Bill Clinton said, "You either ought to have the Fairness Doctrine or we ought to have more balance on the other side."

However, one has spoken out not in favor of reinstating the Fairness Doctrine. Former President Jimmy Carter, not known for his temperament when it comes to denouncing conservative ideals, told a Phoenix radio station, KTAR's Mac & Gaydos that he is not in favor of the Fairness Doctrine.

Transcript follows (h/t Greg Pollowitz, National Review Online):

CO-HOST MAC WATSON: There's been a lot of rumblings, especially in our industry that there is a push for the Fairness Doctrine to be brought back, especially into talk radio. Do you think the Fairness Doctrine is something that should be brought back in the 21st century? This is something that came out in the ‘30s. Should there be a place for the Fairness Doctrine? Do you think that's important?

FORMER PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER: Well, I liked it when it first came out, because I was just a child listening to both programs, and I liked to hear some limits on some of the programs. But no, as a matter of fact, when I was president is when we deregulated radio, television, all the communications and relationships. So I have not been in favor of perpetuating the Fairness Doctrine since I've been, you know, in politics.