Pence (R-Ind.) pushes vote against Fairness Doctrine

[babylonsister]

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/pence-pushes-vote-against-fairness-doctrine-2007-10-17.html

Pence pushes vote against Fairness Doctrine
By Klaus Marre
October 17, 2007

Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) filed a discharge petition Wednesday to force a vote on legislation to ban the so-called Fairness Doctrine.

“The time has come to do away with the Fairness Doctrine once and for all,” the lawmaker said on the House floor. Pence’s legislation would require an act of Congress before the Fairness Doctrine, which would require broadcasters to give time to both sides on an issue, can be implemented.

A discharge petition allows a lawmaker to force an up-or-down vote in the House if it is signed by a majority of members.

“To my colleagues in Congress I respectfully say: If you oppose the Fairness Doctrine, sign the petition. If you cherish the dynamic national asset that is American talk radio, sign the petition. If you simply believe that broadcast freedom deserves an up-or-down vote on the floor of the people’s House, sign the petition,” Pence said.

Republicans strongly oppose the Fairness Doctrine, saying it is a tool Democrats use to attack conservative talk show hosts.

They are worried that forcing stations to make equal time for liberal talk radio would cut into profits so severely that radio executives would choose to scale back on conservative programming to avoid rising costs and interference from the government.

[SergeyDovlatov]

1. So what is DU consensus on it?

Constitution does say: "Congress shall make no law".
So I can see how (R) position can be defended on constitutional grounds.

[AndyTiedye]

3. It is What Keeps the Repiglickins in Power

[BushOut06]

4. The airwaves belong to the people, not the corporations

Right-wing talk shows practically have a monopoly of the public airwaves. Whether it's on the national or local level, there are hundreds of right-wingers out there spewing their hatred on a daily basis.

The problem is that it allows one side to shape opinions for a large number of people in the country, with no chance for balance. It's basically allowing the Republican Party to have an unchecked propaganda outlet.

[babylonsister]

5. My opinion is that squelching the Fairness Doctrine isn't fair.

I'd prefer access to all opinions so I can make up my own mind.

[SergeyDovlatov]

6. I understand that, but what is the constitutional argument for it.

[babylonsister]

7. I think it depends on the decade; lots of links in google, but here's a

link to an article:

http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0212-03.htm

[AndyTiedye]

2. The Repiglickins Prefer to Capitalize on their Ownership of the Airwaves