President Obama opposes any move to bring back the so-called Fairness Doctrine, a spokesman told FOXNews.com Wednesday.
The statement is the first definitive stance the administration has taken since an aide told an industry publication last summer that Obama opposes the doctrine — a long-abolished policy that would require broadcasters to provide opposing viewpoints on controversial issues.
“As the president stated during the campaign, he does not believe the Fairness Doctrine should be reinstated,” White House spokesman Ben LaBolt told FOXNews.com.
Senior FCC staff working for acting Federal Communications Commissioner Michael Copps held meetings last week with policy and legislative advisers to House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman to discuss ways the committee can create openings for the FCC to put in place a form of the “Fairness Doctrine” without actually calling it such.
Waxman is also interested, say sources, in looking at how the Internet is being used for content and free speech purposes. “It’s all about diversity in media,” says a House Energy staffer, familiar with the meetings. “Does one radio station or one station group control four of the five most powerful outlets in one community? Do four stations in one region carry Rush Limbaugh, and nothing else during the same time slot? Does one heavily trafficked Internet site present one side of an issue and not link to sites that present alternative views? These are some of the questions the chairman is thinking about right now, and we are going to have an FCC that will finally have the people in place to answer them.”
Waxman is a f###ing idiot. At least NObama realizes that his side loses in a return of the fairness doctrine. You saw the picture, we got Fox, Rush, and a few blogs on our side. They have most every other television network and as many blogs as we have. I doubt newspapers would be involved. Who stands to lose the most? I say—“Bring it on!!”
On the other hand, I’m wondering if this is Stage One of a ploy.
BZ
If the “fairness doctrine” was properly applied it would give us equal time on CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, NPR etc. It’s not about fairness. It’s about control of the media.
I think it’s a ploy. These fascist libs can’t/won’t allow any dissent.
There are so many wingnuts in Congress right now, I wouldn’t hold your breath on this one quite yet.
Is it just me?? Does Waxman look like a character from The Grinch Stole Christmas?? A resident of Whoville??
when my kids were little we watched it and every time I see Waxman I think of it…
Fred, if memory serves me right, yes, you are correct. Beady-eyed little bastard.
I hope Obama will find good solutions about the Crisis !
In blog after blog, I’ve mentioned blogging being controlled by some type of “fairness doctrine” each time, some leftist wingnut shouted foul. More and more I’m hearing about “officials” trying to figure out how to get it done.
Mark me, Obama is trying to figure out how to get it done while also trying to lull us into a false sense of security.
Don’t think that Obama isn’t for this. He is. He is a socialist and he will exact his plans ‘though others’ and escape the blame.. Pelosi was blamed for the spendulus, but Obama is the one behind it.
Obama is totally seperating himself from the fairness doctrine while having it done by his minions.. under the blanket. It will get done, but Obama will skate free from blame.
Remember ‘perception is reality’. They will say, “Obama wasn’t for this”, it was done by the FCC, not Obama.
Hmmm. Consensus seems to be: PLOY.
BZ
I’ll link to liberals when they actually start linking to conservative sites.
Ain’t gonna happen.
Besides, I already have one lib link, why pollute my list with more?
Say, I’m flexible to attack the Left from the Left… grew up in a socialist household and can do that pretty easily since none of them bother to think about what it is they say. The Left doesn’t realize how childish it has become: they no longer use reason nor logic, just ‘feelings’ about everything being ‘equal’ and ‘fair’. Which means exactly whatever they want it to mean this nanosecond. And we are, of course, at war with Eastasia.