sick of the media lies? sign this petition: Bring back Fairness Doctrine

[FizzFuzz]

http://www.fairnessdoctrine.com /

I found this link at Media Matters for America.

Here's what I wrote in the comments box:
I hope this issue takes highest priority for legislators. There is nothing more compelling at this time in our history. Outlets such as FOX News and CNN which are presently endangering our American ideals of integrity and excellence should be held accountable, faced with consequences and shut down, with a widely publicized explanation for their demise.

[in_cog_ni_to]

1. signed. n/t

[DireStrike]

2. Emphatically signed.

[prayin4rain]

3. Done.

[Cerridwen]

4. Done - my comments in addition are listed below.

Not only would I like to see the Fairness Doctrine restored, I would encourage unmasking all those media outlets who used its demise to promote, as thruth(sic, erk!), their political agenda while silencing informed debate and discussion of events and policies affecting the U.S. public.

[EmperorHasNoClothes]

5. To anyone who thinks the Fairness Doctrine isn't necessary:

Some seem to think it isn't necessary because there are a lot more TV stations now than when the Doctrine was in effect, and therefore everyone can have some representation.

Consider this though:
- All of the cable news outlets are in a race to the right. Fox was unabashedly right wing from the start. CNN is now running a close second. MSNBC is only "balanced" compared to the other two

- Most big radio talk show hosts are right wingers on right wing stations. The one liberal voice we had here in Chicago (Ski & Skinner) was dumped ostensibly because Nancy Skinner announced her candidacy for U.S. senate

- Most people who get their news from cable news or (gasp) right wing talk radio, don't even try to get news from any other sources. Thus they are constantly presented with only one viewpoint, and never even see any convincing arguments from the other side. Guess which way they are going to think?

The Fairness Doctrine isn't a magic pill that will solve all of our problems, but it's a step in the right direction.

[AmerDem]

6. I signed that sometime back.....here is Pelosi's letter

Here is a letter written by Nancy Pelosi discussing the Media Act.



July 14, 2004

HEAR WHAT THE PEOPLE SAY!


Dear Colleague:

For many years, a federal regulation required TV and radio broadcast stations to present the different sides of an issue in a reasonably balanced way, including giving time to opposing points of view. This “Fariness Doctrine” was repealed in 1987.

But the idea lives on with American listeners and viewers!

A recent poll of likely voters shows overwhelming support for restoring rules requiring fairness and balance on the public airwaves – and this opinion is held across the political and demographic spectrum, including Republicans and conservatives:

· When asked whether television and radio stations that use the public airwaves should be required to present the sides of an issue in a reasonably balanced way – including giving time to opposing points of view – fully 77 percent say that they should, and only 17 percent say that they should not.

· Despite being told that the Fairness Doctrine was repealed during the Reagan administration, 74 percent of conservatives and 71 percent of Republicans say that television and radio stations should be required to present the sides of an issue in a reasonably balanced way.

The people are right. We urge you to support H.R.4710, The MEDIA ACT (Meaningful Expression of Democracy in America Act), to re-instate the Fairness Doctrine and bring back balanced broadcasting. Should you want to cosponsor this legislation, please contact Sherrye Henry (Slaughter office) at 5-3685 or [e-mail].


Sincerely,


Nancy Pelosi Member of Congress
Louise M. Slaughter Member of Congress

[gratefull4u]

7. I signed and sent it on to others.

I think it is so important to get some progressive talk radio broadcast to our troops. If they keep getting only right wing hate radio they will try to destroy President Kerry as Commander.

[FizzFuzz]

13. thanks!!! glad you sent it to others too, thats even better!

welcome to DU :D

[hippywife]

8. Done with the comment:

What does it say about us as a country that we cannot support fairness in our media, a media that uses our property, our airwaves, many times in a manner in direct conflict with the interests of our country?

[tnlefty]

9. Done and thanks. eom

eom

[theophilus]

10. Done!

Thanks for the link and the chance. If we are not an informed electorate then democracy is done for.

[FizzFuzz]

11. thanks everyone and a kick for the night shift n/t

[GoneOffShore]

12. Signed it

Thanks for posting this -
:kick: :kick: :kick:

[Johnny 99]

14. Signed

n/t

[smirkymonkey]

15. Signed and e-mailed to friends.

[Robbie67]

16. Signed and sent on

:thumbsup:

[tsuki]

17. Signed

[Booster]

18. Signed, sent & kick.

[goclark]

19. Signed and kicked

[annabanana]

20. done.

[MUSTANG_2004]

21. The First Amendment gets in the way of shutting down CNN and Fox

The justification for the Fairness Doctrine when tv was broadcast over the public airwaves is gone. Your wanting to shut down cable tv stations because you disagree with what they say is unAmerican.

Instead of "FOX News and CNN which are presently endangering our American ideals of integrity and excellence should be held accountable, faced with consequences and shut down" how about the more American sentiment "I may not agree with what you say, but I'll defend your right to say it".

[CosmicVortex21]

24. Dont let a little logic stand in your way of squelching free speech.

I agree, cable companies are entirely different then public airwaves. If I start my own cable company, its noones business what opinions I express over them.

Maybe a lot of people here dont seem to realize that Air America would go the way of the dodo as well.

[Maylee]

22. Done Thanks

[Ladyhawk]

23. Done. nt