Why is it.................

[merrylander]

It was the Republicans who stuck a dictator in the cpb whose sole aim was to bias public radio toward the right.

[Boreas]

Originally Posted by piece-itpete

We'll try it here. A strict count of left-leaning posts and right-leaning posts will be kept.

Because some are more right or left than others, a point system will be used. If at any time the point count is not even then the 'not fair' side will be silenced until the count is equal again.

Sound good? It gets better: who decides?

Pete

The whole thing about "equal time" is a myth invented by the right wing. That was the "Equal Time" rule. It applied only to free airtime for political candidates' campaign ads. You give a minute to Candidate A? You gotta give the same amount of free time to all other candidates for the same office.

It was never required under the Fairness Docrtine which merely said that a station was obliged as a matter of the public interest to present discussion of controversial issues and to include opposing views. There was pretty broad discretion as to the amount of time devoted to an issue and to the actual nature of the opposing views presented. There was no requirement that equal amounts of time be provided for opposing views, that all views must be presented or even that the views be presented in the same broadcast or the same format.

The only thing about the Fairness doctrine is that Fox could not exist in its present form if the Fairness Doctrine were to be reinstituted.

John

[Boreas]

Originally Posted by merrylander

It was the Republicans who stuck a dictator in the cpb whose sole aim was to bias public radio toward the right.

Kenneth Tomlinson, a political hack with zero broadcasting experience outside the jobs Reagan and Bush appointed him to but with the right sort of ideological credentials. He resigned amidst scandal.

John

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Boreas

Oh, that old thing. Right. It ain't going anywhere. Now that Left Wing talk is beginning to carve out a niche in the media nobody wants a return to the Fairness Doctrine.

By the way, Pete, the Fairness Doctrine was never about restricting speech but about achieving a balanced presentation of opposing views. My side got a chance to state its case and so did yours.

John

No shit?

There's such a thing as Left Wing talk radio? I wouldn't know, because I don't listen to it.

But I don't listen to Right Wing talk radio either. I listen to music.

No wonder I'm so uninformed.

Chas

[noonereal]

Originally Posted by Boreas

Left Wing talk is beginning to carve out a niche in the media

It is?

[Writewing]

Originally Posted by Boreas

Why are these ideas un-American?

John

Free Speech and Free Market is why. The idea being the Doctrine is that free market isnt good enough. It should be simple enough to say "Put on a show and if folks like it then it will thrive" but that isnt ok with the Left when they cant find a large audience like the Right has. NPR is funded by our tax dollars and most anyone understands its a Liberal driven model.
The Right is self funded and a success, the Left tried Air America and it failed miserably.
There is one network that gives the Right a mouthpeice and like minded folks a place to get news and opinion from, there are more than one on the Left. Newspapers are almost universally Liberal with a few exceptions but thats a dead horse busness model shrinking in size daily. With the internet and forums for both Liberal and Conservative views there is no valid reason to change because the search for information finds its own audience on both radio, print, cable and web based content.
I dont see how anyone can argue with a straight face that the Doctrines true intent is to squash the power of Conservative folks sharing information and ideas and it shouldnt be the Rights fault the Left cant find an audience or talent that is needed to support a profitable if not simply a viable business on radio. I can assure you if the Left was somehow able to actually dominate the radio dial with its message the Rights desire to squash that would not be something they would support.

[Fast_Eddie]

Originally Posted by Writewing

Regulation of private business is never a good thing...

You have got to be kidding. Auto manufacturers should have no safety regulation. Energy companies, which have virtual monopolies, should be able to charge anything they like. Oil and logging should have free reign to dig or cut where ever they like. Airlines should have no regulation of safety or security. Drug manufacturers should not have to meet any regulated standard of safety or prove any benefit of their products. Companies should be free to sell toys made of lead and construction materials with asbestos.

Are you really serious?

[noonereal]

Originally Posted by Fast_Eddie

You have got to be kidding. Auto manufacturers should have no safety regulation. Energy companies, which have virtual monopolies, should be able to charge anything they like. Oil and logging should have free reign to dig or cut where ever they like. Airlines should have no regulation of safety or security. Drug manufacturers should not have to meet any regulated standard of safety or prove any benefit of their products. Companies should be free to sell toys made of lead and construction materials with asbestos.

Are you really serious?

While we are at it we should do away with child labor laws and the FDA.
These regulations really hurt the profits of the investor class.

[Fast_Eddie]

Originally Posted by noonereal

While we are at it we should do away with child labor laws and the FDA.
These regulations really hurt the profits of the investor class.

What's wrong with child labor! You Commie! Why, the Industrial Revolution would never have happened without children working 12 hour days. No, all regulation is always bad. Black and white. No gray area her at all.

[Writewing]

Child Labor also keeps things cheap at Walmart