Text 29245, 110 rader
Skriven 2007-07-13 21:44:00 av Jeff Binkley (1:226/600)
Ärende: "Fairness doctrine"
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This is the worst breech of the First Amendment that I have ever seen.  


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http://www.in-
forum.com/ap/index.cfm?page=view&id=D8QBVUPG0&forumcomm_check_return

Democrats block amendment to prevent Fairness Doctrine 
By FREDERIC J. FROMMER Associated Press Writer 
The Associated Press - Friday, July 13, 2007

WASHINGTON

Senate Democrats on Friday blocked an amendment that would have 
prevented the return of the Fairness Doctrine, a federal rule requiring 
broadcasters to air opposing views on issues.

Although no legislation has been offered to bring back the regulation, 
which was scrapped in 1987, South Dakota Sen. John Thune, Minnesota Sen. 
Norm Coleman and other Republicans have been mounting a pre-emptive 
attack in recent weeks. They argue that a return to the old rule would 
give the government too much power in regulating content. The House 
recently passed an amendment banning the rule's return.

When Coleman, R-Minn., tried to bring up his amendment Friday to a 
defense authorization bill, Sen. Carl Levin, a Michigan Democrat who 
chairs the Armed Services Committee, objected. Levin's office said he 
objected because the amendment belonged in the Commerce Committee's 
jurisdiction, and because it would have taken up time while the Senate 
was trying to debate Iraq.

The subtext of the debate over the Fairness Doctrine is talk radio's 
perceived dominance by conservative voices.

In a telephone interview, Coleman said his motivation was to preserve 
the First Amendment. But he added: "I do have a strong objection to 
folks wanting to cut off talk radio because it's conservative. Let the 
people be able to make the choice."

Thune agreed.

"Having the bureaucrats dictate the content of the airwaves isn't much 
different from what we are seeing in places like Iran and Russia where 
they are rolling back freedom of the press," he said.

Republicans have seized on a comment made last month by Senate Majority 
Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill., who said "it's time to reinstitute the 
Fairness Doctrine." Durbin's spokesman, Joe Shoemaker, said that Durbin 
was expressing support for the concept but has no plans to introduce 
legislation.

"There is no big conspiracy here, there's no secret plan, there's no 
nothing," he said.

Durbin and Coleman briefly debated the idea on the Senate floor Friday, 
with Durbin asking Coleman if he believed it serves the interests of an 
educated electorate if people could hear both sides of the story.

"Absolutely," Coleman responded. "But I believe - strongly believe - 
that the government should not be in the position of deciding and 
dictating, 'now here is the other side.'" He said with the proliferation 
of communication options such as the Internet, Americans have plenty of 
opportunity to get the other side.

"The airwaves belong to the American people," Durbin said. "Those who 
profit from them do by permission of the people through their 
government." He said that broadcasters should provide both points of 
view on an issue.

Ed Schultz, a North Dakota-based liberal-leaning talk show host who has 
more than 3 million listeners on more than 100 stations, also said the 
airwaves belong to the public.

He said the Republicans' efforts are overreactions, and said he is 
traveling to Washington next week to talk to talk to Democrats about the 
issue.

"The issue is liberal talkers haven't even been given a market 
opportunity in many markets across the country," he said.

He is frustrated because his show is not airing in such major markets as 
Boston and Philadelphia, where he says certain companies are keeping 
progressive shows out.

"I'm just open to hearing these conservative companies explain their 
thought process," he said.

The Federal Communications Commission on Friday referred to comments 
made by its chairman, Kevin Martin, in an interview this year with 
Broadcasting & Cable. Asked if he'd support bringing back the Fairness 
Doctrine, Martin responded, "No. The commission eliminated the doctrine 
in 1987. Doing so has made for a lot of opportunities in things like 
talk radio."

Coleman said in the telephone interview that he also has concerns when 
the FCC tries to regulate content for sex and violence.

"There are limitations on what the FCC should do," he said. "We need to 
tread very carefully when regulating content ... The best tool is a good 
family."

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