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The Fairness Doctrine
The Wall of News, November 9, 2008
President-Elect Barack Obama should have his chance to establish his agenda and set up his administration. This does not mean that the American public should sit back and allow some within his new administration and his advisory personnel be allowed to slit the throats of the citizens and stop legitimate discussion of issues.
These are very strong words; but, when we look behind the scenes of the major issues, we see Mr. Obama selecting individuals who are outside the normal expectations for holding key positions. Yet standard media outlets are not aware of what is happening. They are keeping a "Neville Chamberlain" attitude toward appointments. The question is how they have behaved in the past. Words are cheap.
Henry Rivera is expected to head the interim team for the FCC. Indications are that this individual is a strong believer in the Fairness Doctrine. Do not let the name of any government program or agenda sway your opinion. The Fairness Doctrine is a failed policy during the Carter Administration. President Reagan allowed this program to run out - for good reason.
It demands that broadcasters offer equal time to all sides of an issue. This was designed to cause stations to stop talking about anything. So what if you do not like Rush Limbaugh and would like to see him knocked off the air. At the same time Allen Colmes, on the left would be knocked off the air. The exception would be if equal time for all sides was given. There is strong evidence that the Obama administration will allow the FCC to re-enact this policy. Welcome to re-runs of the French Chef.
This damages free speech. It did not work in the past. It will not work today. The Fairness Doctrine will not harm the outlets such as the Wall of News. It will harm your ability to hear about important issues.
Mr. Obama did not like to hear his economic proposals called socialism. The Wall of News will call the passing of the Fairness Doctrine a strong step towards Fascism.
If government shuts down debate, government starts controlling the flow of information. We see this in countries ruled by dictators. The United States will take a large step that will harm the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, if this is enacted by the FCC.
If the public does not know what is happening, how can the citizens approve or reject actions by our government? We will be left in the dark through our major sources of information.
Is this the change Mr. Obama had in mind during his campaign? Does Mr. Obama wish to crush our right to know for political reasons?
The Fairness Doctrine does not need an act of Congress. As the appointments to the Commission expire, new commissioners will be appointed. All it will take is three commissioners to side with the Fairness Doctrine to close down discussion. It is an FCC act. Congress is not involved. Mr. Obama is not "involved." We lose our freedom of speech from broadcasting facilities. It will mean that anyone wishing to keep track of events will have to go to the Internet or to the few newspapers who are willing to oppose the government.
It has been the opinion of the Wall of News' parent organization, the Society for Accurate Information and Distribution, a 501(c)3 foundation, that there is a long-term effort afloat to reduce the ability of broadcasters to communicate by creating impediments that reduce broadcasting audiences and the signal strength of radio and television stations to a service area that is a radius reaching only to the horizon, just under 30 miles.
It should be noted that the Society for Accurate Information and Distribution owns several FM non-commercial radio stations that are community radio stations, broadcasting inside the reach of the horizon by design.
If the Fairness Doctrine is re-instituted, the Foundation will, as well as all broadcasters, be forced into non-controversial programming. Currently no station owned by the Foundation is programming a talk-radio format. The Foundation will consider options, if the Fairness Doctrine is re-instituted, for bringing talk radio to the Internet on audio streams.
If Mr. Obama wishes to have a spirit of bi-partisanship, then we urge him to take the additional steps needed to protect the freedom of speech for all Americans, not just political elitists. Only the far left and the far right would consider the Fairness Doctrine an appropriate step.
It has always been the position of the Foundation that accurate information is should be available to everyone. It is your right. Yet, it appears that each administration and Congress are taking one step at a time to remove the rights of the people. Each step may be small, but the journey so far has been long. There are not too many steps left until we have lost our rights of free speech.
We ask Mr. Obama to be cautious on his steps being taken. The FCC is a technical commission, or should be run non-politically.
Mr. Obama, promise the citizens that you will protect our rights under the Constitution and stop the Fairness Doctrine once and for all.
Copyright 2008 Wall of News