Verdict Still Out on Fairness Doctrine

For the past several years, there have been references to re-enacting the Fairness Doctrine to control the airwaves and now the debate has new life due to statements by key Democratic legislators. This time though, it may also include the internet and other media outlets.

The basic premise of the Fairness Doctrine is intended to allow equal time for opposing viewpoints but has primarily been directed at conservative talk radio sensations like Rush Limbaugh. Specifics of how such mandates would be carried out and enforced has been vague thus far and has many on the right justifiably fearful.

If this succeeds it would clearly be an attack on free speech and the First Amendment of the Constitution but there are doubts how far this could actually go. Media vehicles such as syndicated radio, broadcast and cable news networks, and endless internet forums have proven to be major economic forces that will not be silenced easily or without a fight assuming that the laws would apply equally to all media.

The deeper discussion is to have a clear understanding of reality. Networks like the defunct Air America (I was one of the 23 regular listeners) did not fail because of conservative strong arm tactics but rather because it had no substantial audience…translation; they were not profitable. If anyone thinks that giants like Clear Channel and Fox would not air more liberal shows if they were proven to be profitable, they are delusional; look at the liberal entertainment side of the Fox network if you have any doubt. At the end of the day ratings win and ratings mean money which eludes to the old adage that if money talks, you know what walks.

The simple reason that Fox News, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Bill O’Reilly, Michael Savage and Laura Ingraham do so well is because they appeal to a demographic that actually listens and watches. Remember that NPR, Alan Colmes, Stephanie Miller, Tom Joyner and similar liberal pundits also exist but we are not hearing cries for them to be equaled out by an opposing viewpoint. Will the blatant bias of major organizations like NBC, CBS or ABC also fall under the umbrella of analysis?

There is no argument that Fox News overwhelmingly appeals to conservatives but this is because of its op/ed formatted shows. Its top rated programs are not the hard news segments which have been “fair and balanced” but rather its admitted right wing commentators. I would love to see a breakdown on the political demographics of viewer ship for all major news networks because I suspect that a fair amount of viewers to the more left leaning CNN and MSNBC are still conservative yet liberals will not watch FNC. This is why I contend that more conservative TV viewers are more inclined to watch news programs.

If House Democrats do indeed propose the reinstitution of the Fairness Doctrine, it will happen because they desire to silence the opposition. This will not only include political speech but you can bet that religious broadcasting will be high on that list as well. It will be justified with the banner of ridding our land of hate and intolerance or any number of redefined verbiage that elevates liberalism as the only defender of humanity.