Democrats, the so-called party of progressive “change,” instead seek a return to a darker era of America’s distant past — the Fairness Doctrine of 1949. However, the Walden-Pence Broadcaster Freedom Amendment would stop the FCC from reinstating the doctrine or any proposed “broadcast localism” regulations at least for the next fiscal year.
U.S. Congressmen Mike Pence (IN-6) and Greg Walden (OR-2) recently introduced the amendment to the Financial Services Appropriations Bill. The amendment would prevent the FCC from using funds to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine or enact similar broadcast localism regulations in the next fiscal year.
Joint Video Statement from Walden & Pence
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzzuguoUPzk
A Brief History of the Fairness Doctrine
For 38 years, the Fairness Doctrine controlled the discussion of controversial issues on broadcast airwaves in the U.S. until 1987, when then-Chairman of the FCC, Mark S. Fowler, revoked the doctrine on principle because it had damaged the public interest and trampled First Amendment free-speech rights. The same year, Congress attempted to block the revocation of the Fairness Doctrine with legislation that was later vetoed by President Ronald Reagan. Further attempts to resuscitate the doctrine failed again in 1991 when President George H.W. Bush promised a veto.
In a statement this week from Rep. Mike Pence:
“The American people cherish freedom, especially freedom of speech and of the press. That was why President Reagan repealed the so-called Fairness Doctrine back in 1987. For more than four decades, the federal government actually regulated the content of American talk radio and the chilling effect of this regulation was undeniable.”
Democrats’ rumblings surfaced again in 2007 when intense political debate began to build on radio airwaves in anticipation of the 2008 elections. Driven by the failures of liberal talk radio and infuriated by the success and popularity of conservative radio, Democrats lashed out at broadcaster freedoms in their support of the return of the Fairness Doctrine.
Democrats Favor Limits to Free Speech
- Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), in 2007:
“It’s time to reinstitute the Fairness Doctrine.” - House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), in 2008:
“Yes (I personally support revival of the Fairness Doctrine).” - Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), in 2008:
“I think the country was well-served … under a Fairness Doctrine.” - Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA), in 2008:
“I’ll work on bringing it back (the Fairness Doctrine). I still believe in it. It should and will affect everyone.” - Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), in 2009:
“I think it’s absolutely time to pass a standard. Now, whether it’s called the Fairness Standard … I absolutely think it’s time to be bringing accountability to the airwaves.” - Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA), in 2009:
“… We gotta get the Fairness Doctrine back into law again.” - Former President Bill Clinton, in 2009:
“Well, you either ought to have the Fairness Doctrine or we ought to have more balance on the other side …”