The "Fairness Doctrine"

[bsdaddict]

As a Ron Paul supporter I know full well how "unfair" the media can be.  That said, I would hate to see mandated "fairness"...  Life ain't fair, you gotta take what it gives you and roll with the punches.   Don't like what's on the airwaves?  Change the channel, start your own station or simply turn the thing off and get your news elsewhere.

The only factor I haven't fully considered is the "who owns the airwaves" question.  The way I understand it, We (the People) own the airwaves and the fedgov leases them to the various networks on our behalf.  Whether or not there's an argument for equal coverage there I don't know, but it's a factor to consider...

[Captain Virgil Hilts]

The media was no more unfair to Ron Paul than it was to Fred Thompson and Duncan Hunter, easily the two most electable and mainstream truly conservative Republicans.

[Nwbie]

As a Ron Paul supporter I know full well how "unfair" the media can be.  That said, I would hate to see mandated "fairness"...  Life ain't fair, you gotta take what it gives you and roll with the punches.   Don't like what's on the airwaves?  Change the channel, start your own station or simply turn the thing off and get your news elsewhere.

The only factor I haven't fully considered is the "who owns the airwaves" question.  The way I understand it, We (the People) own the airwaves and the fedgov leases them to the various networks on our behalf.  Whether or not there's an argument for equal coverage there I don't know, but it's a factor to consider...

The citizens don't own the cable networks - and that is where the extremists are
I don't lean left or right - I vote for candidates i have at least a somewhat knowledgeable idea about..if it is a state race and there are candidates I dont know - i dont vote for any on that ballot ... that is where the problem is ... Media doesn't cover the small contests enough.. too many Judges get re-elected that dont belong..too many school superintendents because he/ or she has the 5000 votes needed to get re-elected... we have a lousy electoral process and fairness in media wil help alleviate that... remember those who only lay on your right sides - Ronnie Reagan was a democrat ... and with guys like Rush & Bill around... he never would have been Governor of Cal... and wouldn't have been President.... and wouldn't...... need I say more?  You have to think through the process ... not just thump because you were told to by Rush....

This country is full of dopes....


NwBie

 

[midnight Target]

I think Skuzzy would probably have to hire some libs to post here as this is clearly a conservatively weighted board.

That means the board would likely go away.


Which may well be the point of the whole enterprise. 

Maybe you don't know this, but the Fairness Doctrine applies only to the necessarily limited number of frequencies available on the public airwaves. It has NOTHING to do with print, or cable or internet because those offer almost unlimited opportunities for access.

American thought and American politics will be largely at the mercy of those who operate these stations, for publicity is the most powerful weapon that can be wielded in a republic. And when such a weapon is placed in the hands of one person, or a single selfish group is permitted to either tacitly or otherwise acquire ownership or dominate these broadcasting stations throughout the country, then woe be to those who dare to differ with them. It will be impossible to compete with them in reaching the ears of the American people.
— Rep. Luther Johnson (D.-Texas), in the debate that preceded the Radio Act of 1927 (KPFA, 1/16/03)

[Mojava]

 I'm against the Fairness Doctrine. I think it limits freedom of speech.  However I do not think politically biased talk shows should be broadcast on Armed Forces Radio. 

  On a side note, I received my Car Talk cap a few weeks ago from my pledge to NPR.

[Toad]

MT.....  "yet".

It doesn't apply "yet".

We all know that government has an insatiable appetite for power.

[midnight Target]

It was in place since the 20's and NEVER applied to print journalism due to the unlimited access of this media. why would it change now?

[Carrel]

they control academia because that's where they all ran to during viet nam.

How many members of the Bush Administration served in Viet Nam again? Zero? And were you aware the most coveted billet there was for avoiding Viet Nam service was a National Guard slot? Of course those were mostly reserved for our political elite- the sons of Governors and Senators.

Sheeesh, Zeta- how can you imply it was only the liberals who avoided VN service? 

[ZetaNine]

How many members of the Bush Administration served in Viet Nam again? Zero? And were you aware the most coveted billet there was for avoiding Viet Nam service was a National Guard slot? Of course those were mostly reserved for our political elite- the sons of Governors and Senators.

Sheeesh, Zeta- how can you imply it was only the liberals who avoided VN service? 

I don't recall saying only.

[Carrel]

.. the left controls all speech and every form of media from print to movies to TV (both broadcast and cable)...

lazs

Welp...So far in this thread we've learned the liberals all avoided Viet Nam while the conservatives rushed to serve and Ted Turner, Rupert Murdoch, et. al. are flaming liberals.

Sheeesus you guys. Try to keep it real, OK???? Damn.  

[midnight Target]

and the left makes stuff up too... don't forget that!

[Carrel]

I don't recall saying only.

LOL, good answer- you really ARE an attorney.

[Sabre]

The insanely named "Fairness Doctrine" is not about providing equal time on radio.  If it were, it would also apply to NPR, the major networks, and newspapers, almost all of which are biased to varying degrees to the left; it doesn't.  This is all about silencing a point of view, a set of ideals. Those pushing for this know exactly what would happen, which is the virtual elimination of the only conservative outlets for news and commentary (not counting the internet, which is decidedly more fair and balanced then the traditional news media.  The radio stations, forced to either give over half their revenue-generating programming to "liberal" air-time, or to simply not carry any conservative programming at all, will be forced by economics to do the latter.

I personally don't see how this could hold up in the SCOTUS, but I've said that about other issues (ala emminant domain), and been proven horribly wrong.  Even the title, "The Fairness Doctrine" is an abomination against the principles laid out in the Constitution.

[Donzo]

Sheeesh, Zeta- how can you imply it was only the liberals who avoided VN service? 

So you agree that liberals control academia?

[midnight Target]

The insanely named "Fairness Doctrine" is not about providing equal time on radio.  If it were, it would also apply to NPR, the major networks, and newspapers, almost all of which are biased to varying degrees to the left; it doesn't.  This is all about silencing a point of view, a set of ideals. Those pushing for this know exactly what would happen, which is the virtual elimination of the only conservative outlets for news and commentary (not counting the internet, which is decidedly more fair and balanced then the traditional news media.  The radio stations, forced to either give over half their revenue-generating programming to "liberal" air-time, or to simply not carry any conservative programming at all, will be forced by economics to do the latter.

I personally don't see how this could hold up in the SCOTUS, but I've said that about other issues (ala emminant domain), and been proven horribly wrong.  Even the title, "The Fairness Doctrine" is an abomination against the principles laid out in the Constitution.

The Fairness Doctrine does not require "equal time" and it never did. It does (did) apply to all broadcast stations and there were conservative talk shows around before the doctrine was eliminated by Reagan et.al.