GOP Wants Legislation To Protect Conservative Radio

[babylonsister]

Battle lines are drawn over conservative radio
By Alexander Bolton
October 03, 2007

House Republicans are threatening to launch a discharge petition on legislation that would ensure the future prosperity of conservative radio talk-show hosts but is expected to face opposition from Democratic leaders. On Monday evening, Republicans filed a rule with the House Rules Committee laying the groundwork for a petition that would force action on protecting radio from government regulation later this fall.

The move comes at a time when Democrats have launched a coordinated attack on conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh, accusing him of disparaging American troops critical of the Iraq war as “phony soldiers.”

Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) has said broadcasters should be required to give listeners both sides of political issues so voters can make informed decisions.

Conservatives fear that forcing stations to make equal time for liberal talk radio would cut into profits so severely that radio executives would choose to scale back on conservative programming to avoid rising costs and interference from the government.

Republicans’ concern has grown as Democrats have waged a battle against Limbaugh in recent days. On Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) sent a letter to the chief executive of Clear Channel Communications, Mark Mays, calling on him to denounce Limbaugh’s remarks.

more...

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/battle-lines-are-drawn-over-conservative-radio-2007-10-03.html

[Mountainman]

1. Republicans are afraid that a different view point will be on the air and that's all their afraid of

[Skidmore]

3. They are unwilling to recognize that there is a different view

already pervasive in the nation.

[monktonman]

2. Meanwhile in Iraq.........

[Exultant Democracy]

4. Clear Channel doesn't own the airwaves, f-them.

[Rambis]

10. Kind of

Clear Channel Communications' nearly 1,200 radio stations represent about 10 percent of the U.S. radio market, and more than half of the country's major popular-music stations. The company's network of concert-promotion companies gives it effective control of the U.S.'s rock and pop touring business as well. Recent stories in Salon have outlined the company's aggressive business practices.

[KharmaTrain]

11. With Over 1,200 Stations...They Come Damn Close

Most are the biggest signals in major markets or control all the stations in small markets...including a majority of Air America affiliates. Golden rule...ye who makes the gold makes the rules.

[CrispyQ]

5. Their hypocrisy knows no bounds.

Honestly, how do they look themselves in the mirror? Or are they so accustomed to the stench of their hypocrisy they don't smell it - like a woman who can't smell her own perfume.

I don't know how much more of this shit I can take. I feel like my head is about to implode.

[BurtWorm]

6. Democrats, pick your battles wisely and fight them to win. This is a stupid battle.

End the fucking war already!

[Dark]

They're like fucking children. n/t

[Dark]

7. Dupe n/t

[OnyxCollie]

8. Tyranny of the majority.

Why enact legislation to protect the 91% of political talk radio that is conservative?

Two words: Fuck 'em.:eyes:

[DemGa]

9. "accusing him of disparaging American troops"?

C'mon drive-by media, he said it!!