Walberg Weekly Wrap Up: "The Unfair 'Fairness Doctrine'"

Op-Ed

WALBERG WEEKLY WRAP-UP: "The Unfair ‘Fairness Doctrine'"

By: Rep. Walberg

Recently a group of liberal Democrats in Congress began discussing the reinstatement of a piece of legislation known as the Fairness Doctrine.

Originally introduced in 1949, the Fairness Doctrine required radio stations to give equal time to conservative and liberal opinions on political issues. If stations failed to comply, they could face a penalty or have their broadcast licenses revoked.

Proponents of the Fairness Doctrine argued that while anyone could start a newspaper or magazine, radio airwaves were limited in number, and the government needed to ensure one political persuasion didn't dominate this form of media.

As more and more radio stations opened across America, the FCC rightly eliminated the Fairness Doctrine in 1987. After all, the broadcast world has changed tremendously since 1949.

In today's world where consumers watch HDTV, listen to HD Radio and talk on iPhones, the number of broadcast outlets available to the general public is much, much greater than back in 1949.

Today, it is widely assumed that liberals generally dominate the newspaper and television industries, and talk radio has emerged as a venue for many Republicans to obtain news and express their political opinions.

While talk radio is widely hailed and respected by Republicans, liberals in Congress want to return to the 1940's and restore the Fairness Doctrine. Their decision to pursue such a policy is largely influenced by the fact that liberal radio programs and stations like Air America have gone bankrupt and/or failed commercially.

With the market of political ideas flourishing not only on the radio, but also on the Internet, on TV and in print, there is no need for government control of public airwaves.

Do we really want the FCC to conduct investigations and issue warnings to radio talk show hosts nationwide who simply discuss the important issues of our time and express their opinions on those issues?

The Constitution says "freedom of speech," not "freedom of government approved fair speech in rationed amounts." I believe our country will be put in a precarious position if we allow the federal government to start rationing free speech.

Last month, 309 Republicans and Democrats in Congress joined together to vote in favor of an amendment that will prevent the Fairness Doctrine from being enforced in 2007.

Because I believe talk radio is an asset to our nation and it encourages strong and healthy debate about public policy, I am also an original co-sponsor of the Broadcasters Freedom Act, which would keep the Federal Communications Commission from reinstituting the Fairness Doctrine.

This bill would ensure that healthy, un-regulated political debate continues on America's airwaves, and I am proud to support this legislation so that millions of American radio listeners are given a fair chance to express their opinions and listen to whichever radio programs they desire.

George Washington once remarked, "In a free and republican government, you cannot restrain the voice of the multitude."

It is my hope that my colleagues in Congress will join with me to ensure that the voice of the multitude continues to be heard throughout south-central Michigan and across America.

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