Fairness Doctrine- is it coming back?

[Cat Atomic]

Have any of the candidates addressed the issue of bringing back the Fairness Doctrine and giving the FCC some teeth? If a Democrat wins the next presidential election, that person will clearly need to to dismantle the huge conservative propaganda machine and bring back some semblance of honest reporting. If they don't, they'll be setting themselves up for failure on every front.

Anyway- have any of the candidates addressed the issue? Would it be considered politically damaging to do that at this point?

[Cush]

1. They could mention it now

But it would be the kiss of death. If I remember correctly, before the 2000 Election, Rove called the networks and told them that Bush supported deregulation, which would allow them to own more stations, but Gore was against it.

And well all know what happened during the campaign....

[olacan]

2. When

was it removed and who removed it.

[maggrwaggr]

7. It was removed by Reagan in, I believe, 1984 (hmmmm)

An appropriate year to get rid of it, no?

[hippiechick]

3. Dean

http://www.truthout.org/docs_03/052203A.shtml


"PITT: You're talking about reinstating the Fairness Doctrine.

DEAN: Yes, reinstating controls over how many outlets you can own in any particular media market. The media has clearly abused their privilege, and it is hurting our democracy. Deregulation in many areas has simply proved to be bad for America, bad for the American economy, bad for the average working person, and bad for democracy. We need to take a different view. Some deregulation is a good thing. We went too far, and now we need to cut back."


:hippie:

[salinen]

5. fair and balanced

the fairness doctrine may never come back. now we all know what "the power of the press" really meant. in a way, the media, press, and all print media, went the way of all other sacred institutions. one way, the only way, to grab it back is "revolution."

[TacticalPeek]

4. Clark.

"Clark said he supports the fairness doctrine, which requires equal air time for candidates or others expressing alternative points of view."

more

Citizen Online

[ramapo]

6. A hugh problem to undo

The Fairness Doctrine was hated by the RW because it was so fair that it was unfair. There's this belief that if you have enough money and power then you should be able to shut out all others.

They contend that it is unfair to require broadcasters to devote a small portion of their broadcast resource(worth billions but given to them for free)to a provide candidates equal time. It is better that they receive millions and millions in revenue for political ads that serve little purpose but to rake the opponent through the mud.

I think media consolidation is the big problem and this will be tough to undo since the top media companies are now a hughly powerful lobby. The argument is that there are so many broadcast/cable resources available, that everyone can get some time.

There must first be regime change at the FCC.