Here Comes the "Fairness" Doctrine

An outrage! Anti-freedom of speech is what this is! Fascism by our Liberal Democratic leaders. Stomp out any opposition speech. Hey if someone wants to hear the liberal side, just tune in to any TV news (Rachel 'Madcow' or Keith 'Uberman') or pretend-news a la Jon Stewart or Colbert and you'll hear all you want. Even Fox has its share of liberals - that's why it is somewhat fair and balanced. Liberal Radio doesn't work. People don't care to hear it. So why is forcing it on us "fair"?

Sen. Stabenow's 'Outrageous Conflict of Interest' on Fairness Doctrine

It's been reported that Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow wants hearings on "accountability" in radio, suggesting Democrats are eyeing a return of the Fairness Doctrine.

What's not been widely reported is that the Michigan lawmaker is married to a media executive with ties to left-wing radio.

During a recent interview with syndicated radio-host Bill Press, Stabenow said: "I think it's absolutely time to pass a standard. 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."
She didn't mention that her husband Tom Athans is the co-founder and former CEO of Democracy Radio, which supported "progressive" talk radio, and was executive vice president for programming at left-wing Air America.

Columnist Camille Paglia recently wrote: "Debbie Stabenow, who has been in the aggressive forefront of the campaign to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine, is married to Tom Athans, who works extensively with left-wing radio organizations and was once the executive vice-president of Air America, the liberal radio syndicate that, despite massive publicity from major media, has failed miserably to win a national audience.

"Stabenow's outrageous conflict of interest has of course been largely ignored by the prestige press, which should have been demanding that she recuse herself from all political involvement with this issue."

Originally instituted in 1949 by the FCC, the Fairness Doctrine required broadcasters using the public airwaves to give equal time to opposing political views. The FCC repealed the measure in 1987.

Since talk radio is overwhelmingly dominated by conservative hosts, and liberal talk radio draws few listeners, the "equal time" provision would likely force many radio stations to pull popular conservative hosts from the air rather than air low-rated liberal hosts.

"I remain incredulous that any Democrat who professes liberal values would give a moment's thought to supporting a return of the Fairness Doctrine to muzzle conservative shows," Paglia opined.

"Government surveillance of the ideological content of talk radio is a shocking first step toward totalitarianism."

This post courtesy of an email from some watchdog group....