Nearly half of Americans favor 'Fairness Doctrine'

Just under half of Americans believe the government should mandate that all radio and television stations offer equal amounts of "conservative" and "liberal" political commentary, according to a new Rasmussen poll.

Rasmussen noted Republicans have expressed alarm in recent months over congressional Democratic efforts to restore the so-called Fairness Doctrine. The law was abolished in 1987, during the Reagan administration, opening the door to development of a flourishing talk-radio market led by Rush Limbaugh.

But the poll found 47 percent believe the government should require stations to "balance" the political viewpoint expressed over the airwaves.

Rasmussen found, however, 71 percent say it is already possible for just about any political view to be heard in today's media. Some 20 percent did not agree.

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The poll also touched on regulation of the Internet, revealing 31 percent believe websites should be forced to balance their commentary.

This week, Rasmussen noted, Robert McDowell, a Bush appointee to the Federal Communications Commission, suggested restoration of the Fairness Doctrine could lead to government regulation of content on the Internet.

Ramussen's new survey found Democrats are more supportive of government involvement in the airwaves than Republicans and unaffiliated voters. The poll showed 54 percent of Democrats in favor and just 26 percent opposed. Republicans and unaffiliated voters are fairly evenly divided.

Republican Rep. Mike Pence of Indiana has introduced the Broadcaster Freedom Act, arguing the lifting of the Fairness Doctrine has "opened the public airwaves to free and vigorous discussion of controversial issues by individuals of all political stripes."

"Bringing back the Fairness Doctrine would amount to government control over political views expressed on the public airwaves," Pence said. "It is a dangerous proposal to suggest the government should be in the business of rationing free speech," he said.

Pence, a former broadcaster, said his Broadcasters Freedom Act would ensure that "true freedom and fairness will remain on our radio airwaves."

President Bush has called the Fairness Doctrine "Orwellian."

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