Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

FCC officially kills Fairness Doctrine, wiping it from rules
The Hill ^

Posted on 08/22/2011 2:27:32 PM PDT by Sub-Driver

FCC officially kills Fairness Doctrine, wiping it from rules By Gautham Nagesh - 08/22/11 03:21 PM ET

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski announced the elimination of 83 outdated and obsolete agency rules on Monday, including the controversial Fairness Doctrine.

“The elimination of the obsolete Fairness Doctrine regulations will remove an unnecessary distraction. As I have said, striking this from our books ensures there can be no mistake that what has long been a dead letter remains dead," Genachowski said in a statement.

"The Fairness Doctrine holds the potential to chill free speech and the free flow of ideas and was properly abandoned over two decades ago. I am pleased we are removing these and other obsolete rules from our books."

The rule required broadcasters to cover controversial issues in a manner deemed fair and balanced by the FCC. The commission deemed it unconstitutional in 1987 and ceased enforcement.

Some Democrats had suggested reviving the Fairness Doctrine in recent years in reaction to the partisan nature of cable news. Republicans were pushing the FCC to scrap it once and for all.

Genachowski previously pledged to strike the Fairness Doctrine and other antiquated rules as part of the Obama administration's ongoing regulatory review aimed at reducing the burden on businesses. The administration recently expanded the review to include independent agencies.

“Our extensive efforts to eliminate outdated regulations are rooted in our commitment to ensure that FCC rules and policies promote a healthy climate for private investment and job creation," Genachowski said. "I’m proud of the work we are doing toward our goal of being model of excellence in government."

The FCC also said it will delete the obsolete "broadcast flag" rules along with 50 other regulations that have already been removed. Genachowski said the agency's work is not done, and he has directed the head of each agency bureau to review rules in their areas with a goal of eliminating or revising rules that place needless burdens on businesses.


TOPICS: Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: 1stamendment; doctrine; fairness; fairnessdoctrine; fcc; freespeech; genachowski; localism
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-36 next last

1 posted on 08/22/2011 2:27:35 PM PDT by Sub-Driver
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Sub-Driver

Seems to be excellent news.


2 posted on 08/22/2011 2:28:55 PM PDT by Winstons Julia (when liberals rant, it's called free speech; when conservatives vent, it's called hate speech.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Sub-Driver

Obie beginning to toss Libs under the bus?


3 posted on 08/22/2011 2:29:16 PM PDT by gov_bean_ counter
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Sub-Driver

No doubt they’ll just re-name it.


4 posted on 08/22/2011 2:31:53 PM PDT by Paperdoll (NO MORE RINOS!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Sub-Driver

Watch for the new word, “localism.”


5 posted on 08/22/2011 2:32:02 PM PDT by Grunthor (In order; Palin, Perry, None of the rest matter 'til the general)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Sub-Driver

Well, there is at least one American in the government that remembers the Constitution.....another liberal Marxist attempt upon America SQUASHED!!!

Some good news for a change out of Washington.


6 posted on 08/22/2011 2:33:05 PM PDT by EagleUSA
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Sub-Driver

“...excellence in government.”

Hmm. I wonder who he listens to.


7 posted on 08/22/2011 2:33:28 PM PDT by Eleutheria5 (End the occupation. Annex today.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Sub-Driver
Good news out of Washington DC. What am I missing? The beltway bandits never do anything unless it benefits them.
8 posted on 08/22/2011 2:33:42 PM PDT by GonzoGOP (There are millions of paranoid people in the world and they are all out to get me.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Sub-Driver

Strange, I don’t think this is good news. I wonder why I’m so skeptical of what our government does?


9 posted on 08/22/2011 2:34:41 PM PDT by The Iceman Cometh (Proud Teabagging Terrorist Hobbit)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Grunthor

Watch for the new word, “localism.”

::::::::::::::

Yes, another typical Marxist methodology to suppress broadcasting of information by putting up “borders” around the sources. They have been trying this one for a long time as well....


10 posted on 08/22/2011 2:35:30 PM PDT by EagleUSA
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Sub-Driver

Collectivism never gives up; it simply re-routes.

If the fairness doctrine is eliminated, the Left will try something else.


11 posted on 08/22/2011 2:36:58 PM PDT by lurk
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Sub-Driver

Hope this permanently kills the handicap libs wanted placed on conservative speech on talk radio. They needed this handicap to even the playing field; that is, give them an undeserved advantage.


12 posted on 08/22/2011 2:42:00 PM PDT by luvbach1 (Stop the destruction in 2012 or continue the decline)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Winstons Julia

They are wiping it out so they can reinvent it under new theories.

Got to make some room and try to eliminate from the history of the FCC.


13 posted on 08/22/2011 2:46:11 PM PDT by dila813
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Sub-Driver

I’m guessing this is cover/distraction for a move in the near future to institute “local community involvement” (or some such thing) which will be even more caustic to free expression than the old “Fairness Doctrine”.


14 posted on 08/22/2011 2:47:52 PM PDT by Stosh
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dila813

That’s why I said “seems”... I always watch what the other hand is doing.


15 posted on 08/22/2011 2:49:14 PM PDT by Winstons Julia (when liberals rant, it's called free speech; when conservatives vent, it's called hate speech.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: Sub-Driver

Something’s up!

I don’t trust these MF’ers as far as I could throw one.


16 posted on 08/22/2011 2:50:52 PM PDT by alice_in_bubbaland (DeMint /Palin, DeMint/Bachmann, DeMint/Cain, DeMint/Ryan 2012!!!!!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Sub-Driver

NBC-DNC, ABC-DNC, CBS-DNC, MSNBC-DNC etc... networks are relieved! With the Fairness Doctrine they would have had to given equal time to “real” Conservatives!


17 posted on 08/22/2011 2:55:51 PM PDT by missnry (The truth will set you free ... and drive liberals Crazy!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: EagleUSA; Grunthor
Glenn Beck attacks media "diversity and localism
18 posted on 08/22/2011 2:57:44 PM PDT by Pontiac (The welfare state must fail because it is contrary to human nature and diminishes the human spirit.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: EagleUSA

Don’t get carried away. He is extremely liberal.


19 posted on 08/22/2011 3:05:51 PM PDT by bfree (The revolution is coming - OBAMI IS THE ENEMY OF FREEDOM)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Grunthor

This seems way too easy.


20 posted on 08/22/2011 3:10:31 PM PDT by GilGil
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-36 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson