In an effort to combat reimplementation of the archaic “Fairness Doctrine,” Congressman Mike Pence, together with Congressman Jeff Flake (R-AZ) and RSC Chairman Jeb Hensarling (R-TX) introduced an amendment to the Financial Services Appropriations Bill (H.R. 2829) yesterday. Thankfully the Amendment passed 309-115. The next question is, “Who are the 115 Stalinists?”
Here is what Mike Pence’s Amendment will do: It will prohibit funds in the Bill from being used by the Federal Communications Commission to impose the Fairness Doctrine on broadcasters. This is no small feat. It is a monumental victory for free speech and Pence should be commended for protecting the 1st Amendment.
Moreover, the fear of the “Fairness Doctrine” is certainly warranted. It is one of the most dangerous laws ever conceived over the last hundred years. It gives the government, not only the ability to license and regulate the public airways, but it would allow government control of political content as well.
Currently, the Broadcast airways use the radio spectrum to transmit information to the public. Because certain frequencies are limited, the government licenses the spectrum to prevent interference. However, absolute government control over political speech is absurd and unconstitutional. I understand the Supreme Court in the past has upheld the “Fairness Doctrine,” but it was wrongly decided. The Fairness doctrine is analogous to the government giving a political party a permit to protest, but then saying they must keep their protest balanced. It is just nonsensical.
Rather than permit the American public to choose what they want to listen to, the government-imposed “Fairness Doctrine” will force talk radio to cover ALL controversial viewpoints equally. Not only are the goals of the “fairness doctrine” impossible, but it would remove all political talk radio from the airways entirely. Broadcasters will not put up with the paperwork, legal fees, and hassle to comply with absolute balance.
For example, if someone says on the radio that they are against murder, does that mean you have to provide equal time for an anarchist who thinks there should be no laws? If someone says they are against terrorism, does that mean you have to provide equal time for a terrorist? What if someone says violence against women is wrong, should we be forced to listen to someone who thinks he has a right to beat his wife? You see how this can get ridiculous and unmanageable.
The infamous “fairness doctrine” started in 1949 with noble goals, but as outlined above, was impractical and led to a complete absence of talk radio. As Mike Pence said, "Thankfully, the FCC began to overturn its own ruling on the Fairness Doctrine in 1985. And, following that change in policy by the FCC and President Reagan’s veto of attempts to reinstate it, the results have been dramatic. The lifting of the Fairness Doctrine has opened the public airwaves to free and vigorous discussion of controversial issues by individuals of all political stripes.”
Mike Pence continued with this brilliant monologue:
"There is nothing fair about the Fairness Doctrine.
"Bringing back the Fairness Doctrine would amount to government control over political views expressed on the public airwaves. It is a dangerous proposal to suggest the government should be in the business of rationing free speech.
"Congress must take action to ensure that this archaic remnant of a bygone era of American radio does not return.
"During my years in radio and television, I developed a great respect for a free and independent press. Since being in Congress, I have been the recipient of praise and criticism from broadcast media, but it has not changed my fundamental belief that a free and independent press must be vigorously defended by those who love liberty.
It is with this in mind that I will introduce the Broadcaster Freedom Act.
"The Broadcaster Freedom Act will prohibit the Federal Communications Commission from prescribing rules, regulations, or policies that will reinstate the requirement that broadcasters present opposing viewpoints in controversial issues of public importance. The Broadcaster Freedom Act will prevent the FCC or any future President from reinstating the Fairness Doctrine. This legislation ensures true freedom and fairness will remain on our radio airwaves, and I would encourage my colleagues to cosponsor and support this bill.”
"John F. Kennedy stated, ‘We are not afraid to entrust the American people with unpleasant facts, foreign ideas, alien philosophies, and competitive values. For a nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people.’”
Sadly, Politicians like John Kerry, Dianne Feinstein, Nancy Pelosi, Dennis Kucinich, Dick Durbin, Maurice Hinchey, and other traitors to the Constitution, do not want to answer to their constituents after they are exposed as frauds by talk radio. They would rather have the government silence their critics. The most intellectually dishonest part about these thugs is that they know the “Fairness Doctrine” would lead to a total abolishment of talk radio. Thankfully, we have congressmen like Mike Pence. He is a politician we can all be proud of because he will protect the right of the public to decide what they listen to on the public airways, not the government.
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