'Fairness Doctrine' rejected 'absolutely'

President Bush

The momentum among Democrats for a return to the federal "Fairness Doctrine," a regulatory procedure that effectively limited political speech on the public airwaves, is growing, with Sen. Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico joining the chorus.

But President Bush still believes there's no need for such restriction on speech freedoms.

Les Kinsolving, WND's correspondent at the White House, raised the issue at a press briefing today.

"New Mexico's Senator Jeff Bingaman has just joined other leading Democrats in calling for restoration of the so-called Fairness Doctrine. And my question: Does the president believe that this yearning for electronic media censorship is right, when there is no such calling for a Fairness Doctrine for newspapers, magazines or wire services?" he asked.

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"The president has made his position very clear on the Fairness Doctrine," said White House spokeswoman Dana Perino. "He absolutely does not support it."

The doctrine, instituted in 1949 by the Federal Communications Commission, required broadcasts over the public airwaves to give equal time to opposing political views. But most radio and TV stations found they could not practically adhere to the requirement and found it easier to simply limit political discussion. The FCC repealed the rule in 1987 after admitting the plan "had the net effect of reducing rather than enhancing the discussion of controversial issues of public importance."

Bingaman in recent days joined with those who are seeking federal government control over the messages on the airwaves.

He was in a radio interview with KKOB radio talk show host Jim Villanucci.

Villanucci asked Bingaman, "Talk radio listeners are concerned about the Fairness Doctrine. Do you think there will be a push to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine?"

"I don't know, I certainly hope so," Bingman responded.

"You support it?" Villanucci asked.

"I do," Bingaman said.

"You would want this radio station to have to change?" the host asked.

"I would. I would want this station and all stations to have to present a balanced perspective and different points of view instead of hammering on one side of the political…" Bingaman said.

When Villanucci pointed out there are numerous alternatives within his market area, Bingaman said radio – and media in general – "should have a higher calling than just to reflect a particular point of view."

He pointed out KKOB previously existed under a Fairness Doctrine.

"Yeah, we played music," Villanucci agreed.

In a second question, Kinsolving asked, "Former Speaker Newt Gingrich has compared the Soviet-dominated Polish press attacks on Lech Walesa to what he termed the 'vicious, dishonest' and totally biased media treatment of Governor Palin. And I wondered if – does the president believe Mr. Gingrich is wrong? And if so, why?"

"I haven't spoken to the president about Newt Gingrich's comparison," Perino said.

WND reported just a day earlier when an ATI-News/Zogby poll revealed supporters of Barack Obama like the idea of a "Fairness Doctrine" that would crack down on talk shows like those of Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh, and their enthusiasm grows when the idea of taking the radio icons off the air is introduced.

"Barack Obama has shown a stunning lack of tolerance for free speech throughout the course of this campaign," said ATI-News president Brad O'Leary. "His presidency, combined with supermajorities for Democrats in Congress, would almost certainly bring back the so-called 'Fairness Doctrine' and allow the Democrats to snuff out any broadcasters with whom they disagree."

 

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