A simple thought about a new, revised FAIRNESS DOCTRINE

pegleg

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Fri May-09-08 04:15 PM
Original message

A simple thought about a new, revised FAIRNESS DOCTRINE

More and more often lately, we are hearing on over-the-airwave broadcasts, about the evils of the Fairness Doctrine and how it would be and was a violation of free speech. And yet, one thing you NEVER hear are the reasons why we need a Fairness Doctrine. THAT fact in itself is precisely why we DO need a new revised Fairness Doctrine - precisely because it will provide equal access to opposing points of view, over the people's own airwaves! It worked for 40 years or so before and it is based on the principle that a well informed electorate is necessary to a free democracy.

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Clear Blue Sky

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Fri May-09-08 04:19 PM
Response to Original message

1. How would the current SCOTUS rule on this?

Freedom of speech, etc...

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depakid

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Fri May-09-08 04:24 PM
Response to Reply #1

2. At least 4 would probably overturn unanimous precedent

RED LION BROADCASTING CO. v. FCC, 395 U.S. 367 (1969).

http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=US&vol=395&invol=367

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Postman

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Fri May-09-08 04:24 PM
Response to Original message

3. The Fairness Doctrine is needed because of De-regulation resulting in Electronic Conglomerates

If there were regulation where no one Corporation could own soo many stations, then maybe we wouldn't need the Fairness Doctrine soo much.

But as it is, where you have mega-corporations like ClearChannel owning massive amounts of media and in the process freezing out "liberal" voices and promoting right-wing fascist voices like Limbaugh and Hannity, the Fairness Doctrine is needed.

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klyon

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Fri May-09-08 04:54 PM
Response to Reply #3

4. i agree but don't forget Air America

they would count also

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pegleg

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Fri May-09-08 05:53 PM
Response to Reply #4

5. That's not a bad thing because all commercial broadcaters would be required to allow some

portion of their broadcasting for more diverse programming. In theory Air America would be able to buy airtime on networks which have been shut out to almost all except conservative talkshows.

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pegleg

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Fri May-09-08 05:54 PM
Response to Reply #3

6. exactly

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annabanana

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Fri May-09-08 05:55 PM
Response to Original message

7. The fact that the airwaves belong to US has been lost.

We should make the media conglomorates petition US with hat in hand... They should be vying with each other trying to prove which of them would be better stewards of the Public's Right to Know.

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