July 14, 2007
REGULATED "BALANCE" MEANS LIBERALS DEBATING EACH OTHER:
Democrats block amendment to prevent Fairness Doctrine (Frederic J. Frommer, 7/13/07, Associated Press)
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. [...]
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.
Anybody here want to clue him in?
I ought to note that the above boldface was added by me, for the purpose of emphasizing the lack of clue in question.
Posted by: Matt Murphy at July 14, 2007 4:05 PMJoin the fight to prevent Democrats from re-instituting the "Fairness Doctrine" at www.StopLiberalCensorship.com.
Posted by: SSO at July 14, 2007 4:32 PMVerry interesting! Certain companies? Sinister?
Someone needs to explain that freedom of speech doesn't mean anyone has to listen to you.
Posted by: erp at July 14, 2007 4:39 PMThat the Leftie way of loking at things: economic freedom means freedom from economics.
Posted by: Lou Gots at July 14, 2007 4:52 PMBetter start calling the Fairness Doctrine what it is - a gag law - before the irony of its name wears off.
Brights and progressives in Philly and Boston aren't going to listen to a 'rube' like Ed Schultz, even if he is the most coherent lefty in talk radio.
And the hard-core haters just want bile from Randi Rhodes and Al Franken. But that route went belly up (after Franken got his money, of course).
Posted by: jim hamlen at July 14, 2007 5:18 PMThe important thing is that even in Boston and Philadelphia most folks don't want to listen to the kind of liberals who generally inhabit what exists of left-wing talk radio. Most of them are whiners and insanely self-important -- and, unlike Rush, it isn't shtick, and they aren't funny.
Just listen to Pacifica sometime and tell me I'm wrong.
Posted by: Matt Murphy at July 14, 2007 5:58 PMHard to believe the money grabbing conservatives would miss a chance to make a buck.
Posted by: ic at July 14, 2007 9:53 PMAnother way to battle the 'doctrine' pre-emptively is to gin up lawsuits against the TV news and NPR NOW!!!
One fairness doctrine that I would gladly support would be that ANY person/organization be given free time to counter ANY TV/radio broadcast on ANY issue.
Put that into legislation, and everyone will want to kill it.
Posted by: Bruno at July 15, 2007 2:23 PM