The American Spectator

home
ADVERTISEMENT
Washington Prowler
Print Email
Text Size

Washington Prowler

Her Royal Fairness

Nancy Pelosi moves to harass conservative radio. Also: Hagel's Third Way.
p> SALEM’S WITCH TRIAL br> According to two members of the House Democrat Caucus, Reps. Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer have informed them that they will “aggressively pursue” reinstatement of the so-called Fairness Doctrine over the next six months. In January, Democrat presidential candidate Rep. Dennis Kucinich announced that he was going to pursue the Fairness Doctrine through his Government Reform subcommittee. That announcement was greeted with silence. But now, Pelosi has moved things to the front burner. /p>

Much of the doctrine, regulated through the FCC, was largely dumped in 1987. Other parts of it, related to “personal attack” rule and the “political editorial” rule, remained in place until 2000. The personal attack rule required anyone “attacked” over the airwaves to be notified beforehand and given an opportunity to respond. A similar rule was followed for the political editorial, where a broadcaster endorsing one political candidate or issue had to give similar time for a response from those not endorsed or supported.

The decision to press for re-establishment of the Fairness Doctrine now seems to have developed for two reasons. “First, [Democrats] failed on the radio airwaves with Air America, no one wanted to listen,” says a senior adviser to Pelosi. “Conservative radio is a huge threat and political advantage for Republicans and we have had to find a way to limit it. Second, it looks like the Republicans are going to have someone in the presidential race who has access to media in ways our folks don’t want, so we want to make sure the GOP has no advantages going into 2008.”

That last comment appeared to be a veiled reference to former Sen. Fred Thompson, who appears to be gearing up for a presidential run. Over the past year, he has built a following both over the AM airwaves through the ABC Radio network, as well as through almost daily appearances across cable TV on the TV show Law & Order, where he plays a tough-talking district attorney.

According to another Democrat leadership aide, Pelosi and her team are focused on several targets in the fight, including Rush Limbaugh and the Salem Radio Network. In fact, Kucinich’s staff has begun investigating Salem, one of the fastest growing radio networks in the country, which features such popular — and highly rated — conservative hosts as Bill Bennett and Michael Medved, and Christian hosts such as Dr. Richard Land.

“They are identifying senior employees, their political activities and their political giving,” says a Government Reform committee staffer. “Salem is a big target, but the big one is going to be Limbaugh. We know we can’t shut him up, but we want to make life a bit more difficult for him.”

Page: 1 2  

topics:
Nancy Pelosi, Hillary Clinton, Law

Letter to the Editor View all comments (15) |

Richard Wieda| 10.22.08 @ 3:36PM

Considering that the regular news stations lean far left and call it news, the fairness doctrine will again shut down any opposition to the liberal agenda. 1984 will be alive and well in America.

Jenna Swihart| 11.24.08 @ 12:08PM

The liberals have NBC, ABC, CBS, MSNBC, and CNN. We got Fox News and the radio. If I am not mistaken, more people watch tv then listen to the radio so who has the real advantage here?

Pingback| 2.5.09 @ 8:01PM

The Fairness Doctrine Clouds Are Gathering (UPDATE) « The Forum links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…of free and logical enterprise. The foundation for restoring the policy is being laid out. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has indicated several times her desire to have the policy reinstated.  An aide to Pelosi admits to liberals’ fear of free speech: Conservative radio is a huge threat and political advantage for Republicans and we have had to find a way to limit it. Second, it looks like the…

Pingback| 8.10.09 @ 8:19PM

Fairness Doctrine-What Say You?? - Page 2 links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…Doctrine CNSNews.com - Speaker Pelosi Backs Senate Amendment to Regulate Talk Radio Fairness Doctrine’s new name: “Diversity in communication media ownership” osmoothie The American Spectator : Her Royal Fairness Alan Sears : ?Fairness Doctrine? Is A Code Name For ?Censorship? - Townhall.com Politics and the Fairness Doctrine - The Boston Globe You thought wrong. __________________ Isn't it funny…

Related Articles

More Articles by The Prowler

More Articles From Washington Prowler

http://spectator.org/archives/2007/05/14/her-royal-fairness

ADVERTISEMENT

SPONSORED LINKS

FLASHBACK TO: 1995

Clip of the Day

ADVERTISEMENT