Letters to the Editor
-
Conservatives lie about the Fairness Doctrine to attack Equal Time
Are these guys even familiar with The Fairness Doctrine?
http://www.pbs.org/now/politics/fairness.html
It was a vague thing from the start and remained despite a supreme court decision upholding it. It was a mix of good and dubious motives which is probably why when it got killed it stayed dead.
The most specific and consistend enforcement surrounded elections and is still addressed by the equal time rule. I do think this needs strengthening, but this wouldn't affect talk radio - just prevent thinly disguised free campaign ads during elections.
In part this stems from right wing lies over the Sinclair Broadcast Group's attempt to air the anti-Kerry Swift Boat documentary. They attempted to claim this was about the defunct fairness doctrine, but it was actually about the parameters of the Equal Time Rule. In the end, it was public reaction which decided it, because government intervention didn't occur.
This whole topic is nothing but another "War On Xmas" pandering to the base. It a way for conservatives to pretend they're endangered or being unfairly attacked at a time when they are in trouble for not obeying real rules.