Is anyone here familiar with The Broadcaster Freedom Act

[eagler]

I heard a little bit about this on the radio this morning.Its purpose is to make sure that the FAIRNESS DOCTRINE is never again reinstated nor any action which ensures that opposing viewpoints could be heard oveer the nation's airwaves.


http://newsbusters.org/node/13777

http://constitutionallyright.com/2007/06/28/new-legislation-proposed-to-pre-emptively-kill-fairness-doctrine/


New Legislation Proposed to Pre-Emptively Kill Fairness Doctrine
June 28th, 2007 by Charles Signorile

Last month I told you about Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer’s plan to bring back the Fairness Doctrines. Democrats wish to re-institute an antiquated piece of legislation in an attempt to either limit conservative voices on the radio, or receive free airtime for liberals to speak their mind. Rather than wait for the Fairness Doctrine to come to a vote on the floor however, Rep Mike Pence (R - IN) has decided to be proactive and introduce legislation of his own which would prevent reinstatement of the Fairness Doctrine. His office issued the following press release:

“The American people love a fair fight, especially where the issues of the day are debated. In a free market, fairness should be determined based upon equal opportunity, not equal results. As some voices are calling for Congress to enforce their idea of ‘fairness’ upon the American people, it would be good for us to proceed with caution whenever some would achieve their ‘fairness’ by limiting the freedom of others.

[Gregorian]

1. I don't. But I really hate cheaters.

These right wingers just can't do anything without cheating. He can't even use the word "fair" to actually mean fair. I heard a documentary the other day where people who had lived through the Nazi regime were talking about the years later when they actually got their words back.

Barf.

Well, until the republicans cease to own our airwaves, the message we get from the "news" will be theirs and pretty much only theirs.

If this is the kind of country they want, they can have it. It boggles my mind. War, debt, pollution...

[FREEWILL56]

2. So where's the fair fight Mr. Pence

when you squelch any opposing viewpoints? You will make it a fight to have any other viewpoints at all to be heard. If you like a fair fight then allow the Fairness Doctrine to be introduced again and passed otherwise you are trying to put a gag on everybody else and that isn't anything to do with 'fairness' and is in line with totalitarian states, not democracies. If I may borrow a tactic from many of your fellow republicons, 'If you don't like America or Americans and what that means then get the hell out'.

[onenote]

3. its a bill to block reinistatement of the fairness doctrine

It has 203 co-sponsors in the House (virtually all repubs, I believe) and 33 co-sponsors in the Senate (also all repubs I believe).

In the House, the sponsor, Mike Pence of IN has started a "discharge petition" to try to get the bill to the floor for a vote. To get the bill "discharged" he needs 218 signatures.

[tech3149]

4. The Fairness Doctrine does nothing to solve the problem

The prime problem is media ownership and their control over the range of discussion. If the Fairness Doctrine were reinstated, the effect would be to limit all political discussions because of the need to provide balance. Look at the situation with AAR affiliates around the country. They don't own the stations, they only buy the air time. Georgia, Ohio the stations get bought by some christian broadcasting network. California, KLSD flips to a sports format even though the ratings are much improved from the previous format and there are already a shitload of sports radio formats in the market.

If I could see two changes in my lifetime, it would be that ownership of any media outlet be at least 50% local and that all local media have a community advisory board to assure coverage on important issues.

[eagler]

5. Yours is an old argument but a valid argument. However with increased diversity

in ownership we could still be left with right wing domination of the airwaves. A new improved FD needs to be implemented to foster opposing views over the people's own airwaves - something that now doesn't exist. Stations can offer opposing views if they choose but as it is today, people like Limbaugh can destroy reputations of decent people or propagate lies without being challenged on those same airwaves. Over broad areas of this country, RW radio is all that can be heard. Radio is unique in that it is on 24/7 and can be listened to at home, in the car, or at work - and for free.

[defendandprotect]

6. I think "market" is the key word in his argument . . . free speech based on $$$

We also have that situation with the Supremes . . . re political contributions . . . and it should be overturned.

The Fairness Doctrine stood for more than 60 years . . .
and should be reinstated.

However. . . ironically, I think the current situation right now so overboard is helping to reveal the insanity of the right-wing and helping to wake people up ---