Senator: Talk Radio Hearings Could Be On The Way/'Balance'

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http://www.politico.com/blogs/michaelcalderone/0209/Sen_Stabenow_wants_hearings_on_radio_accountabilit y_talks_fairness_doctrine.html?showall



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[Paslode]

Ms. Stabenow wants 'Accountability and Transparency'.

How about starting with making accountable the likes of Rangel and the rest of tax evaders.

[Box]

we need to stifle this crazy idea that people have a right to 'free speach'...
cant say bomb on an airplane, cant say fire in a crowded theater, why should pundits be allowed to say "call your elected leaders"
this is insanity... off with their heads

[Soft Target]

Fairness? Man, that's great. The first places to cleaned up should be MSM networks, CNN, MSNBC, etc. Wannabet they won't be considered?

Also the previously stated Presidential position of "publicly opposed to reinstating the fairness doctrine" can really be counted on. Like all the other things he said to get elected.

[SF_BHT]

I long for the day that a News outlet (TV/Print/Radio) actually report the facts not their opinions.

Reporters are suposed to be the people that dig out FACTS and report them and nothing more. The every day slanting of information is what has gotten us where we are. I know there are people that do not understand or need help with an explanation but people have gotten to the point of ont thinking just listening to the box for what is their next thought.

[dennisw]

An interesting sidenote, I heard on the radio this morning that Senator Debbie Stabenow who championing the cause for establishing the "fairness doctrine" is married to one of the chief executives from Air America. I guess she wants to make sure hubby has a job. So much for fairness and transparency.

[Ret10Echo]

The MSM, much like certain involuntary muscles, is a one-way valve.....:rolleyes:

Anyone who thinks there will be reciprocity of liberal and conservative views is dillusional....and based on the champions of this idea I think my argument is pretty strong.

[Sten]

Is it wrong of me to hate all of the puss bags in Washington?

[Soft Target]

An interesting sidenote, I heard on the radio this morning that Senator Debbie Stabenow who championing the cause for establishing the "fairness doctrine" is married to one of the chief executives from Air America. I guess she wants to make sure hubby has a job. So much for fairness and transparency.

Can she spell - Conflict of Interest?

[Goggles Pizano]

BILL PRESS: Can we count on you to push for some hearings in the United States Senate this year, to bring these owners in and hold them accountable?

SENATOR DEBBIE STABENOW (D-MI): I have already had some discussions with colleagues and, you know, I feel like that’s gonna happen. Yep.

Holding owners accountable for allowing an excercise of their First Amendment right to air free speech? Uh....where ya going with that thought Herr Press? Jesus, Mary, and Joseph this liberal train is speeding out of control! This country had best awaken by 2010 to put on a legislative brake.

[Saoirse]

Is it wrong of me to hate all of the puss bags in Washington?

Sten, no it's not wrong! Especially if it makes you feel good! :lifter:D

[Saoirse]

Fairness Doctrine (or The Censorship of Free Speech Doctrine) has been rearing its ugly head in the news again....

They say it will help increase the amount of "amount of liberal shows in a landscape dominated by conservative talk show". I have listened to Air America (they took over a very good music station....(which a lot of people cried out about but accomplished nothing) when it came on the air in NYC. All I heard was shrill arguments, whining and bashing. No facts but a lot of liberal diatribe. I only listened because I wanted to hear what the "other side had to say". I found nothing useful or informative. This is an interesting introduction from ACLJ: http://www.aclj.org/FairnessDoctrine/default.html (Pence and Coleman introduced H.R. 2905, S. 1748, Broadcast Freedom Act).

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/02/12/dems-consider-reviving-fairness-doctrine/

Democrats Consider Reviving 'Fairness Doctrine'
Democratic lawmakers are considering pushing to revive the Fairness Doctrine to help increase the number of liberal shows on the airwaves.


A political battle is brewing over control of the radio airwaves as Democrats consider pushing for the revival of the Fairness Doctrine, an FCC policy that requires broadcast stations to provide opposing views on controversial issues of public importance.

Democratic lawmakers who support the doctrine say it will help increase the number of liberal shows in a landscape dominated by conservative talk radio hosts like Rush Limbaugh.

"I absolutely think it's time to be bringing accountability to the airwaves," Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., told liberal radio host Bill Press last week. She said she expects hearings soon on reviving the policy, which was introduced in 1949 and abolished in 1987.

Stabenow's husband, Tom Athans, is and has been an executive at several liberal radio talk groups.

But Oklahoma Sen. James Inhofe said radio programming should be based on what brings in listeners and advertisers.

"I can't think of anything worse than to have government in a position to dictate the content of information going over public radio," said Inhofe, a Republican. "The whole idea is that it has to be market driven. We have a lot of progressive or liberal radio shows but nobody listens to them and every time one tries to get on, they are not successful."

Inhofe and other critics believe those pushing to bring back the Fairness Doctrine -- nicknamed the Hush Rush Doctrine -- want to diminish the influence of Limbaugh and other conservative talk show hosts. Supporters insist that's not the case.

Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, told Press Wednesday that the Fairness Doctrine is needed not to remove any conservative voices, but to ensure that there are a few liberal shows on the air.

During the presidential campaign, a spokesman said Barack Obama did not favor reinstating the Fairness Doctrine. But his White House spokesman has since left the door open.

"I pledge to you to study up on the 'Fairness Doctrine' so that, one day, I might give you a more fulsome answer," White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said.

Inhofe says Democrats and liberal advocacy groups aren't going to let the matter drop.

"They are committed to make this happen," he said. "We got to be ready."

Inhofe introduced a bill this year to prevent reinstatement of the Fairness Doctrine, but he said he has not gotten a single Democrat to co-sponsor it.

[Defender968]

Fairness? Man, that's great. The first places to cleaned up should be MSM networks, CNN, MSNBC, etc. Wannabet they won't be considered?

My thoughts exactly, but I have come to the conclusion that in the Socialists idea......er.........sorry Democrats idea, unfair is only a concept that applies if it doesn't completely favor their party and or beliefs

[Richard]

Fairness? Anybody ever notice how AM radio seems dominated by conservative-minded talk shows and FM radio seems dominated by liberal-minded talk shows? Radio stations--other than those sponsored by the likes of Arianna Huffington for 'fair and balanced' opinion (e.g., the failed Air America)--are 'for profit' businesses whose revenues are based on advertising time purchased by organizations/businesses in order to reach the broadest listening audience possible; the bigger the listening audience, the more sponsors seeking to advertise and the more $$ the radio station can make and the better the chance it will remain on the air. Pretty simple equation...makes a thinking person ask why the conservative stations are on the air and making $$ while the liberal-minded stations are not and need Congressional 'stimulus' support to compete. :rolleyes:

Richard's $.02 :munchin

[Gypsy]

I suppose it never occured to the people in favor of the "fairness doctrine" that the listening public doesn't care for the drivel that is liberal talk radio. :rolleyes: