Sen. Stabenow wants hearings on radio 'accountability'; talks fairness doctrine

The Politico ^ | 2.5.09 | Michael Calderone

[paltz]

Sen. Stabenow wants hearings on radio 'accountability'; talks fairness doctrine

This morning, radio host Bill Press brought up the recent closing of liberal station Obama 1260 when speaking with Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow, and talked about whether there needs to be a balance to right wing talk on the radio dial.

BILL PRESS: Yeah, I mean look: They have a right to say that. They’ve got a right to express that. But, they should not be the only voices heard. So, is it time to bring back the Fairness Doctrine?

SENATOR  DEBBIE STABENOW (D-MI): I think it’s absolutely time to pass a standard. Now, whether it’s called the Fairness Standard, whether it’s called something else – I absolutely think it’s time to be bringing accountability to the airwaves. I mean, our new president has talked rightly about accountability and transparency. You know, that we all have to step up and be responsible. And, I think in this case, there needs to be some accountability and standards put in place.

BILL PRESS: Can we count on you to push for some hearings in the United States Senate this year, to bring these owners in and hold them accountable?

SENATOR DEBBIE STABENOW (D-MI): I have already had some discussions with colleagues and, you know, I feel like that’s gonna happen. Yep.

Although Obama has been publicly opposed to reinstating the fairness doctrine, conservative radio has talked non-stop about the fear of it returning (or perhaps something like it with another name) while there's a Democrat in the White House and a Democratic majority in Congress.

[kenmcg]

BILL PRESS: Yeah, I mean look: They have a right to say that. They’ve got a right to express that. But, they should not be the only voices heard. So, is it time to bring back the Fairness Doctrine?

Let’s face it if the liberal agenda were truthful the public would listen. Lib after lib has tried talk radio and they have failed miserably.
Should these dictators try to stop talk radio, there must be a giant march on Washington led by El Rushbo, Hannity and Laura Ingrahm.

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

I think it’s absolutely time to pass a standard. Now, whether it’s called the Fairness Standard, whether it’s called something else – I absolutely think it’s time to be bringing accountability to the airwaves. I mean, our new president has talked rightly about accountability and transparency.

By all means, let's have a little transparency. Before you go anywhere with this "standard" of yours, prove that journalism is objective.

You cannot do it, because even if it were true the absence of bias would be an unprovable negative.

And you cannot do it because it is provably false. Journalism openly follows rules such as "If it Bleeds, it leads" and "Man Bites Dog, not Dog Bites Man" which are easily justifiable but only from the self-interested perspective of the desire of journalism to make money.

Bad news is patently not in the public interest - but it is what interests the public. So without making criminal accusations, it is clear that journalism would profit if a bridge failed or a major crime were perpetrated or a hurricane hit somewhere and killed a lot of folks.

Not only so, but politicians have a powerful incentive to get on the good side of journalists, and conservative talk radio is notably critical of "bias in the media." So politicians who promote "accountability" of conservative talk radio programs - government control directly contrary to the intent of the First Amendment - must initially rebut the presumption that they are corruptly currying favor with journalists who are in a position to help them in return. Rather than nobly serving the public good as they pretend.

The Right to Know

[calex59]

Wow, can’t really blame him, have you seen Senator D?
If that is a picture of the prostitute then you at least can understand why he kind of, was maybe, attracted to her!

[mojitojoe]

This is one of those things that should cause massive civil disobedience.

It will

[EQAndyBuzz]

“If this happens, I want Rush Limbaugh with his own show on NPR.”

And I want Karl Rove to appear weekly on MTP. As well as Mark Steyn on This Week and Hugh Hewitt on Face the Nation.

Not to mention Mark Levin on PBS.

[abb]

I’m kinda hoping Stabenow pushes this. Talk about galvanizing the base!

[EQAndyBuzz]

Not Guilty. The prostitute not Sen Stanebow

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[LuxAerterna]

but we both know it will not apply to liberal radio or TV

You got that right. In fact this narrow application of "Fairness" really stinks. If Stabenow and her cohorts were consistent they would also demand a "Fairness Doctrine" for the NY Times and other MSM papers, the broadcast television networks (ABC, NBC, CBS and PBS), movies made by Hollywood and faculty hiring practices and course content on college campuses. Of course they don't ask for a "Fairness Doctrine" for these other outlets because they're dominated by liberal Democrats (or even worse) and would be screaming bloody murder about "McCarthyism" if any conservatives even suggested it.

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

You say this so clearly. You have changed my thinking about news so that I can’t even listen to most newscasts without thinking, “Why is this news? It’s not important to 99% of the people listening.”

Bill O’Reilly’s interview last night with Steve Kroft was instructive. BOR was impressed that kroft got so close to 0bama during the campaign. Well, big deal. He was allowed access as long as he showed 0 in a good light. 0’s team knew how to leverage the power of the press and the tv media.

Yet Kroft’s attitude on BOR’s show was that 0 had a huge uphill battle to get to the Presidency! It was surreal how these two talked about the whole thing. 0 had a free spokesman courtesy of CBS. Where’s the story in that, except that it was a complete breakdown of the vaunted “objectivity” of the press? Kroft might as well have been a reporter for Pravda following Stalin around.

[jersey117]

Coming from Bill Press.... another airhead america failure.

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

Boxer, and don’t forget Patty Murray. They are all in a race for the bottom now that Plugs is VP.

[americanophile]

It’s beyond belief isn’t it? They don’t attribute the lack of liberal viewpoint on the radio to the failure of the ideas or the personalities to draw an audience...instead it must be an unfair system in need of federal regulation; regulations that, as it happens, would limit viewpoints they disagree with.

[Delacon]

BTTT

 

PETITION TO BLOCK CONGRESSIONAL
ATTACKS ON FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND PRESS

To: U.S. Congress, President of the United States, Supreme Court of the United States

Whereas, the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution clearly states: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances";

Whereas, members of Congress are recently on record saying they want to re-impose the so-called "Fairness Doctrine" on U.S. broadcasters, or else accomplish the same goal of censoring talk radio by other means, and thereby establish government and quasi-government watchdogs as the arbiters of "fairness" rather than the free and open marketplace of ideas;

Whereas, the U.S. experimented with the so-called "Fairness Doctrine" for 38 years - from 1949 through 1987 - during which time it was repeatedly used by presidents and other political leaders to muzzle dissent and criticism;

Whereas, the abandonment of the so-called "Fairness Doctrine" in 1987, thanks to President Ronald Reagan, resulted in an unprecedented explosion of new and diverse voices and political speech - starting with Rush Limbaugh - that revitalized the AM radio band and provided Americans with a multitude of alternative viewpoints;

Whereas, talk radio is one of the most crucial components of the free press in America, and is single-handedly responsible for informing tens of millions of Americans about what their government leaders are doing;

Whereas, it is a wholly un-American idea that government should be the watchdog of the press and a policeman of speech, as opposed to the uniquely American ideal of a free people and a free press being the vigilant watchdogs of government;

Whereas, the so-called "Fairness Doctrine" - either under that name, or using a new name and even more devious methods - represents a frontal assault on the First Amendment, and its re-imposition would constitute nothing more nor less than the crippling of America's robust, unfettered, free press:

 

                                SIGN THE PETITION at http://www.wnd.com/index.php?pageId=87882

 

Freepmail me if you want to join my fairness doctrine ping list.

[mombonn]

stabbie has already aided and abetted in the near demise of MI. Now she wants to destroy free speech.

No sympathy for the idiots here in MI who keep voting the bad guys in time after time.

At least they don't have Bush to kick around any more.

[plangent]

I think it’s spelled “Stab’em’now”

[Paladin2]

We need Congressional control. If enough folks watching television press the down button, Congress goes into recess for a 60 day cooling off period.

[SunkenCiv]

Ping!

[Southern Partisan]

Since “Plugs” left.

[Politicalmom]

Ping!!

Please FReepmail to be added to or removed from this list.