Democrats continue on path that will pave the way for a return of the Fairness Doctrine

The Associated Press reports:

WASHINGTON (AP) – Senate Democrats on Friday blocked an amendment by Sen. Norm Coleman that would have prevented the return of the Fairness Doctrine, a federal rule which required broadcasters to air opposing views on issues.

Although no legislation has been offered to bring back the regulation, which was scrapped in 1987, Coleman and other Republicans have been mounting a pre-emptive attack in recent weeks, arguing 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. According to Levin’s office, 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.”

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.” But 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.

Riiiiight. They’ll just wait for bigger majorities in the House and Senate before they make their next big “Fairness Doctrine” move.

Prior:

Terrye says:

July 15, 2007 at 11:36 am

I think the Fairness Doctrine is ridiculous, after all you can’t make people listen to something they don’t want to hear.

That is why I stopped listening to Rush and Michael Savage and the rest of them. In fact I stopped listening to Imus long before he got booted. I think these people are out there to make money and they are not always honest about what they say, but that does not mean I think we need some fairness doctrine.

Tom TB says:

July 16, 2007 at 6:24 am

The talk radio station I listen to (WABC from NYC)has always had it’s own “fairness doctrine”. They give people a chance, and they either get ratings and stay, or don’t and go.

G Monster says:

July 16, 2007 at 5:45 pm

I’m all for the fairness doctrine.

Let’s also use it in all print media and news shows. For each and every liberal a newspaper, or newsshow hires, they must counter balance the hire with a conservative and give the conservative equal time or print to express thier views.

Or is the fairness doctrine only to be used in radio, where the libs can’t find anyone to listen to thier shows? I think everyone knows whats going on. The libs can’t win in radio, so they want different rules there.