Radio broadcasters and some members of Congress are calling on Democrats to celebrate July Fourth — dubbed "Radio Independence Day" — by pledging to protect the airwaves from censorship.
Congressional Democrats have threatened to reinstate the so-called Fairness Doctrine, which was put in place by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in 1949 to force the nation’s TV and radio broadcasters to make time for voices on both sides of controversial issues. It was dropped as new technologies offered an abundance of sources for information.
Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., has introduced the Broadcaster Freedom Act (H.R. 2905), which would prohibit the FCC from reinstating the Fairness Doctrine.
“Bringing back the Fairness Doctrine would amount to government control of political views on the commercial and religious airwaves of America, and it must be opposed," Pence told Family News in Focus.
At a press conference Wednesday, Pence called on Congress to support the Broadcaster Freedom Act before July Fourth.
“If 218 members of Congress sign the discharge petition," he said, "we can send the Fairness Doctrine to the ash heap of broadcast history, where it belongs.”
Conservative talk-show host Laura Ingraham joined Pence in standing against the Fairness Doctrine.
“This is nothing more than an attempt to have government regulate one of the most effective forms of political discussion today,” she said.
Last summer, 309 members of Congress — including 113 Democrats — supported a moratorium on the Fairness Doctrine.
“With 113 Democrats supportive of this measure the first time around, we should have no problem securing the signatures needed for this petition," said Ashley Horne, federal policy analyst for Focus on the Family Action. "The fact that no Democrats have signed on tells you how much power Leader Pelosi wields over her rank-and-file members.”
If your representative is on the list, ask him or her to sign the petition and vote in favor of the Broadcaster Freedom Act. If your representative is not on the list, ask him or her to support H.R. 2905 when it comes up for a vote.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
In his Stoplight video commentary, Stuart Shepard discusses the Fairness Doctrine with his liberal alter ego.
