House Moves to Prohibit Return of Broadcast 'Fairness Doctrine,' Just in Case [View All]

[Mass]

:wtf:

Sure, the vast majority of those voted for this amendment were Republican, but 113 Democrats supported it as well.

I guess it is time to stop complaining the media are not fair, when so many Democratic Congresspeople do not care.

http://www.nytimes.com/cq/2007/06/29/cq_2998.html

House Moves to Prohibit Return of Broadcast 'Fairness Doctrine,' Just in Case

By CQ Staff, CONGRESSIONAL QUARTERLY
Published: June 29, 2007

The House voted Thursday to bar the Federal Communications Commission from reinstating the broadcast “fairness doctrine” even though there are no legislative or regulatory proposals to bring back the rule.

Mike Pence, R-Ind., a former conservative radio talk show host, offered an amendment to the bill funding federal financial entities (HR 2829) that would block the FCC from spending money to restore the mandate. The rule, repealed 20 years ago, required broadcasters to present controversial issues in a balanced manner.

During floor debate on the spending bill, José E. Serrano, D-N.Y., chairman of the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee, quickly agreed to accept the amendment. But that didn’t stop Republicans from taking to the floor to warn of a free-speech threat on the airwaves.

In recent days, conservative talk show hosts, including Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity, have cited public comments by Democratic Sens. John Kerry of Massachusetts, Dianne Feinstein of California and Richard J. Durbin of Illinois as evidence that Democrats are trying to bring back the fairness doctrine.

“Make no mistake. This is targeted at talk radio,” said Rep. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., who cosponsored the amendment.
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