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The Fairness Doctrine
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More than 90 percent of talk radio
programming ranges from conservative to right-wing radical.
Conservative radio talk show hosts are afraid that
under an Obama administration the broadcast Fairness Doctrine will return.
That's hardly the way it is now. According to a study by the Center For American Progress more than 90 percent of talk radio ranges from conservative to right-wing radical.
Although
it would seem that no one could be against fairness or fair and
balanced programming, those who oppose the Fairness Doctrine claim that
if it were reinstated radio stations would have to almost double their talk
programming. Even assuming they could find programming to balance
the political scales, it's assumed that they wouldn't try to initiate this much new programming. Instead,
they would just stop broadcasting the conservative talk shows.
The Fairness Doctrine was killed in 1987 under a
Republican administration and it has served them well. As much as some Democrats would like to
reinstate it, it's doubtful if the move would withstand the political
backlash from popular talk show hosts like Rush Lumbaugh, Sean Hannity, or
Michael Savage.
Since this controversial account sidesteps many issues, such as, for example, the definition of liberal and conservative views, it lends itself to research and discussion. -RW
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