Sen. Coleman joins debate over Fairness Doctrine
By Kevin Diaz, Star Tribune

Last update: June 29, 2007 – 11:16 PM

WASHINGTON - Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., has joined a Republican move to block Democratic attempts to bring back the Fairness Doctrine, a decades-old rule requiring broadcasters to balance political views on the airwaves.
Coleman joined Sens. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., and John Thune, R-S.D., Friday in sponsoring legislation that would prevent the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from reinstituting the rule, which was set in 1949 and which required broadcasters to offer equal time to speakers on opposing sides of controversial issues.

Democratic leaders have been calling for the restoration of the Fairness Doctrine since 1985, when the FCC determined that it was no longer necessary because of "a multiplicity of voices in the marketplace" in cable television and other new media. It was abolished in 1987.

Critics say the rule violates the First Amendment. Supporters say it ensures a broad representation of viewpoints on the limited spectrum of public airwaves, which are licensed and regulated by the government.

Congress has twice passed legislation restoring the Fairness Doctrine, but Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush vetoed the bills.

The issue bubbled up in recent years with the dominance of conservative talk radio hosts such as Rush Limbaugh.

Among those who have voiced support for the Fairness Doctrine is Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., who became the target of conservative broadcasters during his 2004 White House bid.

Coleman said the doctrine amounts to government censorship. "Since the repeal of the Fairness Doctrine, talk radio has flourished due to free market ideas," he said. "We mustn't put the government in control over the political views expressed on the public airwaves."

Identical legislation has been proposed in the House.

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