Thread: Democrats block Coleman amendment to prevent Fairness Doctri

Democrats block Coleman amendment to prevent Fairness Doctrine
By FREDERIC J. FROMMER Associated Press Writer
The Associated Press - Friday, July 13, 2007

WASHINGTON

Senate Democrats on Friday blocked an amendment by Sen. Norm Coleman that would have prevented the return of the Fairness Doctrine, a federal rule which required broadcasters to air opposing views on issues.

Although no legislation has been offered to bring back the regulation, which was scrapped in 1987, Coleman and other Republicans have been mounting a pre-emptive attack in recent weeks, arguing that a return to the old rule would give the government too much power in regulating content. The House recently passed an amendment banning the rule's return.

When Coleman, R-Minn., tried to bring up his amendment Friday to a defense authorization bill, Sen. Carl Levin, a Michigan Democrat who chairs the Armed Services Committee, objected. According to Levin's office, he objected because the amendment belonged in the Commerce Committee's jurisdiction, and because it would have taken up time while the Senate was trying to debate Iraq.

The subtext of the debate over the Fairness Doctrine is talk radio's perceived dominance by conservative voices.

In a telephone interview, Coleman said his motivation was to preserve the First Amendment. But he added: "I do have a strong objection to folks wanting to cut off talk radio because it's conservative. Let the people be able to make the choice."

Republicans have seized on a comment made last month by Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill., who said "it's time to reinstitute the Fairness Doctrine." But Durbin's spokesman, Joe Shoemaker, said that Durbin was expressing support for the concept but has no plans to introduce legislation.

"There is no big conspiracy here, there's no secret plan, there's no nothing," he said.

Durbin and Coleman briefly debated the idea on the Senate floor Friday, with Durbin asking Coleman if he believed it serves the interests of an educated electorate if people could hear both sides of the story.

"Absolutely," Coleman responded. "But I believe - strongly believe - that the government should not be in the position of deciding and dictating, 'now here is the other side.'" He added that with the proliferation of communication options, such as the Internet, Americans have plenty of opportunity to get the other side.

"The airwaves belong to the American people," Durbin said. "Those who profit from them do by permission of the people through their government." He said that broadcasters should provide both points of view on an issue.

Coleman said he thought it was "very dangerous for government to be in the position of deciding what's fair and balanced."

Coleman has been pushing his legislation along with several other Republicans, including John Thune of South Dakota.

"Having the bureaucrats dictate the content of the airwaves," Thune said, "isn't much different from what we are seeing in places like Iran and Russia where they are rolling back freedom of the press."

The Federal Communications Commission on Friday referred to comments made by its chairman, Kevin Martin, in an interview this year with Broadcasting & Cable. Asked if he'd support bringing back the Fairness Doctrine, Martin responded, "No. The commission eliminated the doctrine in 1987. Doing so has made for a lot of opportunities in things like talk radio."

Coleman said in the telephone interview that he also has concerns when the FCC tries to regulate content for sex and violence.

"There are limitations on what the FCC should do," he said. "We need to tread very carefully when regulating content ... The best tool is a good family."

http://www.in-forum.com/ap/index.cfm?pa ... =D8QBVDP80

Conservative talk radio listening to the citizens and liberal talk radio and hispanic talk radio listening to illegals!!!!!!! Just like it is now. I think that's balanced.