Although president-elect Barack Obama has stated that he is opposed to the reimposition of the so-called Fairness Doctrine, it remains to be seen if he can resist the pressure of Congress to bring back a measure that many on the left favor because they claim it will "Hush Rush." Leading the charge for bringing back the Fairness Doctrine is Congresswoman Anna Eshoo of California. According to this report, Eshoo not only wants to bring it back but to extend it to absurdly include cable and satellite where public airwaves are not even involved:
Congresswoman Anna Eshoo, D-Palo Alto, said Monday she will work to restore the Fairness Doctrine and have it apply to cable and satellite programming as well as radio and TV.
“I’ll work on bringing it back. I still believe in it,” Eshoo told the Daily Post in Palo Alto.
The Fairness Doctrine required TV and radio stations to balance opposing points of view. It meant that those who disagreed with the political slant of a commentator were entitled to free air time to give contrasting points of view, usually in the same time slot as the original broadcast.
The doctrine was repealed by the Reagan administration's Federal Communications Commission in 1987, and a year later, Rush Limbaugh's show went national, ushering in a new form of AM radio.
Conservative talk show hosts fear the doctrine will result in their programs being canceled because stations don't want to offer large amounts of air time to opponents whose response programs probably wouldn't get good ratings.
Eshoo said she would recommend the doctrine be applied not only to radio and TV broadcasts, but also to cable and satellite services.
“It should and will affect everyone,” she said.
She called the present system “unfair,” and said "there should be equal time for the spoken word."
Wow! Talk about over the edge. Will Eshoo next institute the "Fairness Doctrine" to private conversations? Talk about not being an advocate of free speech. Fortunately, some Republicans are starting to wake up from their long slumber as note this reaction by House Minority Leader, John Boehner, as reported by Broadcasting & Cable:
House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH), said Tuesday he is concerned about Rep. Anne Eshoo's statements to the Palo Alto Daily Post that she will push for reimposition of the Fairness Doctrine.
Boehner called on President-elect Barack Obama to speak out against any congressional effort to "limit free speech."
Obama has twice told B&C through an aide that he is opposed to the return of the doctrine, which required broadcasters to air both sides of controversial issues.
“The so-called ‘Fairness Doctrine’ would restrict free speech on the public airwaves, stifling dissent at a time when an open national dialogue about our country’s future is essential," said Boehner in an e-mailed statement Tuesday a copy of which was supplied to B&C. "The American people do not believe the federal government should be in the business of dictating or restricting the content of political speech. I’m troubled by Rep. Eshoo’s comments, and my hope is that President-elect Obama will speak out against efforts by members of his party to use their majority power to limit free speech and dissent.”
Boehner was responding to an interview Monday in which Eshoo, a member of the House Energy & Commerce Committee whose chair will be fellow Californian Herny Waxman, told the paper: "I’ll work on bringing it back. I still believe in it,” and adding that she would want it to apply to cable and satellite rather than just radio and TV.
The doctrine, which only applied to broadcasting, was scrapped by the FCC as unconstitutional in 1987. Congress tried to revive it, but President and former broadcaster Ronald Reagan vetoed it once and pledged to a broadcaster in a letter at the time that he would block it again if congress tried to reimpose it.
The doctrine's demise is credited--or blamed, depending on who is citing it--for the rise in conservative talk radio. Hosts including Rush Limbaugh and Mark Levin have expressed concerns that the new Democratic regime in Congress will try to reinstate the doctrine as a way to silence their critics.
It will be interesting to hear if Rush Limbaugh, the primary target of the Hush Rush "Fairness Doctrine," will be commenting on this when he returns to the airwaves tomorrow. And remember, Eshoo is trying to block all avenues of free speech...over the airwaves, cable, and satellite.
—P.J. Gladnick is a freelance writer and creator of the DUmmie FUnnies blog.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
I will sign off on the
December 16, 2008 - 21:10 ET by Clear thinkerI will sign off on the Fairness Doctrine under one condition. Democrats put in the bill that they will never be allowed on Tv or radio again! Yeah I know, I'm dreaming.
Pelosi Prime Minister - Obama Puppet
Making Fun of AGW http://giovanniworld.wordpress.com/
Obammunism
December 16, 2008 - 21:31 ET by 10ksnookerGet your propaganda with the nightly news.
It's not Rush Limbaugh,
December 17, 2008 - 11:41 ET by TailgunnerIt's not Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity or Mark Levin they want to censor. It's you and me. It's the millions upon millions of conservatives whose beliefs and concerns Rush et al expresses so well.
When the 'Fairness Doctrine' was in effect (before Reagan repealed it) there was almost no talk radio. Station managers chose not to carry 'controversial' programming because there was no way to present every possible point of view without risking FCC harassment.
All you would hear on AM back then was sports, fishing and elevator music.
Don't be distracted by the 'requirements' of the Fairness Doctrine. Liberals know there's no way to comply with them and they plan to harass stations who actually try to keep conservative talk shows with baseless and frivolous FCC complaints.
Eventually, they hope, radio stations will once again 'give up' and go back to elevator music.
Hugo Chavez is taking notes.
LIBERALS LIE, ALL THE TIME, ABOUT EVERYTHING.
so we are just skipping collectivism
December 16, 2008 - 21:18 ET by thebutlerdiditand heading full bore into socialism? Will these people not be happy until we are just like China and Russia? If they get their way, France will be freer than we are. I like how dems want to be able to say/do whatever they want, Jesus made from dung, effigy of Bushitler, atheist signs denouncing God, but we must stop those people who say things we don't like! Hypocritical?
Nikita Khrushchev
December 16, 2008 - 21:29 ET by pickerseniorI remember that Nikita said that he would bury us, and the objective was to make us a Communist Republic.
It looks like Anna, Nancy, Barack, Dodd, Shumer, etc. and the people now in charge will take us there, allbeit, a few years later.
Looks like the folks get what they voted for.
"If liberals didn't live it, it doesn't exist"
Pickersenior
It's not socialism,
December 16, 2008 - 23:40 ET by Scout FinchIt's outright Fascism! Perhaps even Totalitarianism. I would say that our fearless leaders in Washington might finally wake up and see what the Democrat plan is, but I wouldn't count on it.
IMO, the operative question
December 17, 2008 - 07:19 ET by motherbeltIMO, the operative question is: If it has already been ruled unconstitutional how can they "revive" it?
MB
December 17, 2008 - 13:32 ET by ChaitealoverHave you forgotten that the Constitution is a Living Document and can be interpreted any way they want it to? Just because something was unconstitutional in the past doesn't mean it's unconstitutional now. /sarc off
Chai
"The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money" Margaret Thatcher
Cable & Satellite too?
December 16, 2008 - 21:19 ET by JohnMcGrewWhy not include newspapers too. After all, they use the public roads on their way to our homes. Would it apply to PBS/NPR as well?
Does this mean that
December 16, 2008 - 21:22 ET by Dan DiegoDoes this mean that Olbermoron would have Real Conservatives on his program? Not that it will last much longer with Bush departing.
PEBO is lying. He'll sign the Fairness Doctrine in a second.
December 16, 2008 - 21:26 ET by R D HelmHis manipulators will make him do it.
The dems have never forgiven talk radio, and particularly Rush Limbaugh, for their congressional defeat in 1994. The want Rush gone.
As for this Anna Eshoo information NAZI, I notice she isn't suggesting that the FD be applied to the traditional electronic and print media.
Hmm, I wonder why?
-Dave
Will work for beer.
free air time?
December 16, 2008 - 21:32 ET by inquiring_ mindsIt meant that those who disagreed with the political slant of a
commentator were entitled to free air time to give contrasting points of view
why should they be given free air time? Make them pay for it or get advertisers to sponsor it like the original broadcast does.
No, that would be a "free market" solution...
December 17, 2008 - 06:29 ET by JohnMcGrew...and as we all know, the "free market" doesn't work and is dead.
/sarchasm off
A Few Questions for Hussein
December 16, 2008 - 21:46 ET by DoktorFrankenHey, Hussein. Shut down our First Amendment rights (in that 'negative' Constitution you seem to want to make more 'positive') and you will see just exactly how folks feel about your 'Fairness'. I am prepared to utilize our Freedom of Speech - something you have never bothered to protect. Are you prepared to 'protect and defend' the same Constitution you hold in contempt? You're suppose to - or are you going to change the swearing-in ceremony?
I have a feeling that Hussein will be in the deep bunker under the White House if he even considers this attack on Americans. I hope it's not as cozy way down there as it is in the living quarters above ground. Yeah, he'll be hiding out while sending Biden out to the public for 'fact-finding' missions.
Leave our Speech Free!
Typical democrat strategy
December 16, 2008 - 21:51 ET by cocodrieHave an unknown congresswoman start the ball rolling, then if it becomes necessary, throw her under the bus.
Sort of like Star Trek. Any crew member who beamed down to the planet with Kirk, Spock and McCoy was in deep doo-doo.>/p>
Anna Eshoo?
December 16, 2008 - 21:59 ET by BarkerWhat is it with these Duct Tape Democrats and the Duct Tape Doctrine?
Hey Eshoo, just send up a bill establishing reeducation centers for people who don't think like you and let's really get this thing started.
Never of heard of this loser liberal
December 16, 2008 - 22:13 ET by Worriedbut she is pissing me off! So I pay for cable, I pay for internet, but she wants to regulate that too? Does this dimwit have an education or did she work for ACORN? The liberals are coming out en masse since the election, national and locally, saying they think conservative talkers are hatemongers.
There have to be ways to fight these freedom-haters that are trying to destroy America. I hope John Boehner keeps up the fight against this threat to free speech. Other Republicans need to speak up against it as well. The Democrats are trying to silence us. I pray there are ways to stop them. If we don't succeed there will be a division in this country that will lead to something not seen here since the 1860s.
Democrats do not believe in Free Speech
December 16, 2008 - 22:36 ET by pbthinkerAnytime you look at a legislator trying to restrict freedom of speech, it's usually a Democrat. They're the ones that propose hate-crimes legislation. They're the ones that want to restrict smoking. They're the ones that want to impose sin-taxes. They're the ones trying to bring back the "fairness doctrine"
If you can't argue your position, you must restrict speech, otherwise you lose elections (and power). They have 75% of the media sewn up, all they need to do is get rid of talk radio and they're where they were in the 50's.
Isn't life great?
Election 2008-God's way of showing us that elections count.
Somehow Republicans have
December 16, 2008 - 23:27 ET by JerSomehow Republicans have done rather well electorally in spite of media hostility. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that the media has not been consistently unfavorable to GOP candidates--combined with the money advantages they frequently [though not always] enjoy.
However, I agree with your position on both hate crime legislation and the proposed reintroduction of the "fairness doctrine". They may be "good" ideas in theory, but are "bad" in practice. But what's wrong with smoking restrictions? I would rather listen to 'free speech' through someone's mouth than through a microphone held to a hole in the throat.
Jer
Jer... Perhaps it has
December 16, 2008 - 23:40 ET by bigtimerJer...
Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that the media has not been consistently unfavorable to GOP candidates
ROFLMAO! This is the best line of BS I have heard tonight...
and by the way...it would be wise for congress to just outlaw tobacco and smoking altogether in this country...they need to quit using the taxes the smokers give them all to use for any purpose they please...and they are doing just that...tons of tax-money that is not going to the uses they are suppose to use it for.
It is a farce...one of their biggest of late...and the leftist trial lawyers have made tons...plus more to come now with the latest decision by the Supreme Court to allow more law-suits with tobacco ads about light cigarettes...
It won't end there either...fast food will be next with their ads and obesity ect...on and on and on it will go.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Good, bt, inconvenient truths
December 16, 2008 - 23:57 ET by JerGood, bt, inconvenient truths needn't always hurt. Sometimes they entertain.
Jer
There is no truth to that
December 17, 2008 - 00:01 ET by bigtimerThere is no truth to that Jer...inconvenient or otherwise.
Even some RINOs like McC would disagree with your spin...I think, guess it would depend what years you were talking about when it comes to the likes of him.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
I wasn't referring to McCain
December 17, 2008 - 00:38 ET by JerI wasn't referring to McCain, bt. While he (McCain) has received very favorable coverage in the past, Obama clearly had the advantage of media infatuation in this election.
Jer
Whatever Jer... I'm not
December 17, 2008 - 00:45 ET by bigtimerWhatever Jer...
I'm not up to twist and spin with you tonight...I'm in too good of a mood...and tired to-boot.
I know what was said to each other from the beginning here and exactly what each of us meant.
I am leaving it at that...now hurry...get your last word in Jer...you wouldn't be Jer if you didn't. ;-)
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Or perhaps the Democrats
December 17, 2008 - 09:05 ET by Ryan Mc.Or perhaps the Democrats are so horribly wrong that even with the media, they can't win every time. Maybe the Republicans much like (pick you horrible professional sports team here) suck so bad that the Democrat with the media can still win elections even with being totally wrong on every issue.
Obama is proposing massive public spending to get the economy going, Hoover and FDR tried that from 1929-1939. Even FDRs Treasury Secretary admitted we had nothing to show for our efforts, but where is the media explaining how this was tried and it failed? That's how the Democrats are still competitive. Dead wrong but without a common understanding of history and ecomonics the people have no clue and no media to educate them. (Obviously the schools have failed miserably too. I wonder what ideology controls our school system?)
Fairness Doctrine my ...
December 16, 2008 - 22:40 ET by SentryDanFairness Doctrine my butt. There isn't anything fair about it. If this should get passed. Radio, TV and the other media, as we know it will be gone forever. Yea, I know that the MSM is in the tank for the liberals but the rest of it isn't. Media outlets will become just propaganda and indoctrination outlets.
If this Fairness Doctrine gets passed by the Congress and signed into law, our Country as we know it will be gone forever.
Remember folks, Freedom isn't Free. It was bought with the blood and sacrifice of the men and women who are serving and who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
For those who fought for it, Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
Good ol' Anna...she just
December 16, 2008 - 22:45 ET by bigtimerGood ol' Anna...she just can't keep her leftist mouth shut now that they have major power....of course she and a heck of a lot of others want to being back total leftist complete control of all if they can of conservative voices, or any voice that disagrees with their far leftist views...including O...heck he already has the msm under control, anybody been paying attention to the so-called pressers he has had just the last two days... I don't care what he says...he is all for it...always has been, this guy is a liar, simple as that, he has twisted and turned so many times already since he has been elected it should be a crime.
I just love how Boehner says he hope...he hopes....he hopes...
Lord where is a fearless leader for out side to the aisle that says something more than he hopes....
He should be bringing major attention to this, loudly clearly and often.
We have no voice in congress that is in the leadership position that speaks with conviction, uses the airwaves early and often...until we do...we are going to get what we deserve I suppose....
Silence is not golden in some cases....and these matters are one of them...a very big one, major in fact.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
bt, These Libs are a
December 16, 2008 - 23:17 ET by Svenbt,
These Libs are a total joke...and they know it! They're still frosted that Air America failed miserably. Lets be honest, even libs don't want to hear their country bashed 24/7 by these dimwit hosts!
I notice a trend with libs: in most cases (except when they're aided by RINOS like McCain), can't get a liberal agenda passed legislatively. They answer this little problem with stacking the courts with liberal judges to legislate from the bench.
Now, they're employing a similar strategy with free speech. Since their liberal montra wont sell via the radio, they'll reinstitute the Fairness Doctrine!
You'd think the GOP Leaders (yeah right!) would pick up on this an realize that the conservative message ALWAYS works!
With the exception of a few, ALL of the GOP congress needs to be VOTED OUT OF OFFICE! Maybe we can then get some leaders who wont let us get to this point again!
It's frightening how stupid
December 16, 2008 - 22:52 ET by SATerpIt's frightening how stupid some members of congress are.
SAT... Stupid like a
December 16, 2008 - 23:16 ET by bigtimerSAT...
Stupid like a fox...
They have the power now to do a lot of damage to this country, and people better be prepared, they will, not just in this area either...the energy team, hand in hand with congress is enough to kill so much in this country it isn't funny.
...and they will run enough leftist judges through for appointments, along with the leftist judges they already have on the bench, plus there are tons of vacancies, that this power will be done.
People will not even realize what happened to them, other than the ones like us who know full well what to expect.
The msm of course will be guiding all of this agenda through for the O team and agenda in congress...with raving reviews of how good all of this is for the country dontcha know...
Smile...be happy.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Fairness Doctrine/Cable
December 16, 2008 - 23:14 ET by writeroneI thought that the Fairness Doctrine couldn't be applied to cable. believe heard/read that somewhere, because it's not the same as the airwaves. I wish I could remember it. I believe it was Boortz who explained it here recently.
Let them try to enact it, and see what happens. I guarantee we aren't just going to sit here. And neither will Rush and all of the other talking heads.
wo... It can't be applied
December 16, 2008 - 23:19 ET by bigtimerwo...
It can't be applied to cable, but thy will vote to change the law...then take it through years of courts...blah blah blah...
Of course we don't have to worry...O will veto this.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
How would it even work?
December 17, 2008 - 00:17 ET by Kirk HallIf they do pass some version, how will it even work? Will I be able to demand equal time to oppose the local 3 hour sports talk in the morning here? Or Jim Rome? Not that I mind the shows or sports, but could I or someone who might get agitated at something they say demand some time? They do wonder off of sports topics sometimes so I am curious.
Good point...
December 17, 2008 - 02:14 ET by Wilbur747My question is since Dems want the FD to stop conservative radio, could this possibly backfire on them?
Conservative organizations would be on the hunt, filing charges against the MSM. They'll virutally shut down Katie Couric!
OK, Rush's station must put on Randi Rhodes, but MSNBC, NBC, CBS, CNN, PBS, Air America, etc, must give equal time for opposing conservative views. This would destroy everything the MSM has done for lib/dems.
Dems have to know that it would spell doom for their propaganda machines so I wonder if it'll even pass.
They may yet see the light!
Talk Radio = News AND Commentary
December 17, 2008 - 03:05 ET by OneunderTalk Radio is News and Commentary. Looks like they are going to go after everything and change it up. There is that CHANGE we have been looking for.....
FEDZILLA will take care of this and make us all feel safe.....
The folks that we elected in Washington really don't care. They will do what they want, when they want and they want to
make it easier to move FEDZILLA into your wallet. So let's shut up the news and commentary programs and DUMB down the public.
Government is like a baby: An alimentary canal with a big appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other.
- Ronald Reagan
Insanity and California...like bacon and eggs
December 17, 2008 - 04:06 ET by gordonWhat is it with people from California? This dipstick masquerading as a public servant just stomps all over the Constitution as though it were just some book on the remainder table? I say we eschew Eshoo. She has no idea what she's doing, but she just marches along, waving her Duct Tape Doctrine banner as though it were a done deal. Newsflash, Ms Eshoo, unless I woke up in Russia this morning, our citizens have rights that even the morons like you cannot wish away with a snap of your legislative pinky! Go ahead! Just try and take our freedom away!
Wow!
December 17, 2008 - 07:01 ET by DontFeedTheTrollsRush should plan ahead and buy himself a newspaper now while they are cheap. He would have 10 million plus subscribers in the first week. Isn't the NYT for sale?
D
Keep the ILLEGALS out, join NumbersUSA to send free faxes to your reps.
They Still Won!
December 17, 2008 - 08:08 ET by northoneGee. Despite the airings of Rush, Sean, Laura, etc, during the entire election, Obama still won the election. The Democrats increased their seats in the house and the senate. We need the Fairness Doctrine because...?
This is the beginning of the liberal assault on liberty
December 17, 2008 - 08:25 ET by c5thenThis MUST be defeated and nipped in the bud.
The 1st Amendment states:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or
of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition
the Government for a redress of
grievances."
Forcing any media outlet to grant time to an opposing viewpoint is denying them that same amount of time for other features, thus, it is abridging their freedom of speech. Forced speech is as unconstitutional as restricted speech.
Hey, I got the wrong "CHANGE"!
Alan Keyes / Sarah Palin - 2012
"The Speaker recognizes
December 17, 2008 - 08:50 ET by HockeyKid"The Speaker recognizes Congresswoman Eshoo."
"Gesundheit!"
"Thank you, Mr. Hoyer."
"Beauty is only skin deep, but liberal's to the bone." - me
No Fear
December 17, 2008 - 15:05 ET by rammingspeedThe Fairness Doctrine will not be brought back. There will be no serious effort in congress to do so. It would be a "don't ask, don't tell" moment for Obama if he ever endorsed it. Plus, the conservatives are loaded for bear if they ever have to go to the mattresses against the violators of the First Amendment. I don't mean office holding conservative politicians, I mean the conservative voting base.
Anyone who thinks Sarah Palin's vice presidential candidacy woke up the base, wait 'til the libs try getting serious about taking away talk radio.
The right is Right!
December 18, 2008 - 13:44 ET by centurion2674I've so had it with this crap. Even if I knew nothing about the opposing views of Conservatives and Liberals, this would be enough by itself to convince me which side is correct on the issues. The fact the extreme Libs pushing for censorship feel their point of view is so weak, they can't stand up to debate or criticism, illustrates the "tactics" they have to use to forward their agenda. Non extreme libs who agree with the CENSORSHIP Doctrine are most likely uninfomed, and are simply blind followers. I say ANYONE who agrees with this censorship of free speech are not only hypocrites, they're weak minded COWARDS!