By Kathleen Gilbert
WASHINGTON, D.C., February 20, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Buzz surrounding the “Fairness Doctrine” turned up a notch this month after two senators and former President Bill Clinton voiced their support for reinstating the doctrine, which calls for government regulation of political viewpoints in the media.
The Fairness Doctrine, a regulation policy which passed out of use in 1987, would require broadcasters to provide opposing points of views on controversial issues, as determined by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Liberal Democrats have traditionally favored reinstating the controversial doctrine. Conservatives claim the reason they do so is that conservative voices have consistently claimed the lion’s share of radio audiences ever since the doctrine’s departure.
In the wake of a Democratic victory in Congress and the White House, Democratic legislators, as well as struggling liberal radio shows, are reinvigorating the “fairness” debate. Last Thursday, Liberal radio talk show host Mario Solis March asked his guest, former President Clinton: “Some members of congress are calling for hearings on the Fairness Doctrine – do you believe it’s time for some type of enforced media accountability?”
Clinton responded: “Well you either ought to have the Fairness Doctrine, or we ought to have more balance on the other side. … So what I think we need to do is, either have more balance in the programs, or have some opportunity for people to offer countervailing opinions.”
Earlier, when discussing the demise of liberal radio station Obama 1260, Liberal talk show host Bill Press asked Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI): “So, is it time to bring back the Fairness Doctrine?”
Stabenow said it was “absolutely” time, adding: “Now, whether it’s called the Fairness Standard, whether it’s called something else – I absolutely think it’s time to be bringing accountability to the airwaves.” When asked whether she would push for hearings on the issue this year, Stabenow replied, “I have already had some discussions with colleagues and, you know, I feel like that’s gonna happen. Yep.”
On another episode of the show, Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) also told Press that he believed “we need the Fairness Doctrine back.”
The Fairness Doctrine was implemented by the FCC in 1949 in an attempt to ensure balanced and fair coverage of controversial subject matter by broadcasters. In 1985, the FCC determined that the Fairness Doctrine was no longer necessary due to the emergence of a “multiplicity of voices in the marketplace.” The FCC was also of the view that the Fairness Doctrine may have violated the First Amendment. In a 1987 case, the courts declared that the doctrine was not mandated by Congress and the FCC did not have to continue to enforce it.
Twice, Congress has passed legislation restoring the Fairness Doctrine, but Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush vetoed the bills.
President Obama stated during the presidential campaign that he opposes reinstating the Fairness Doctrine. However, in a FOX News interview, Obama senior advisor David Axelrod left the question open.
Asked if Obama would rule out the doctrine, he said, “I’m going to leave that issue to Julius Genachowski, our new head of the FCC … and the president to discuss. So I don’t have an answer for you now.”
Conservative legislators and media are alarmed at the doctrine’s possible resurrection, as they say the principle only serves to quash vigorous debate and subject public opinion to an arbitrary standard of balance.
Republican lawmakers introduced the Broadcaster Freedom Act January 7 as a means of guarding against the reinstatement of the doctrine.
“The First Amendment has allowed Americans to voice opinions, thoughts and questions of their choosing without the fear of Government reprisal,” said Sen. John Thune (R-SD), one of the bill’s sponsors. “This guarantee is now threatened by some liberal ideologues who are frustrated with the free flow of ideas on talk radio.
“I advise every American to be hesitant when government officials offer to regulate the media in the name of ‘fairness.’ … Simply put, giving power to a few to impose ‘fairness’ in the media is a recipe for an Orwellian disaster.”
Further controversy erupted when an American Spectator blogger claimed this week that the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee discussed with the FCC the possibility of extending fairness doctrine principles to internet regulation. Both the FCC and the chairman’s office denied that such a conversation took place.
However, the question of internet policing is not a new one. The current FCC commissioner confirmed in an interview last year that it was possible Fairness Doctrine advocates would work to implement such regulations in cyberspace.