Without any evidence, Republicans keep tossing out the completely false idea that President Obama and the Democrats are secretly planning on returning to a fairness doctrine to govern what information is presented over the airwaves. Personally I would love to see a return of the fairness doctrine, unfortunately neither Democrats or Republicans have interest in restoring the policy.
The fairness doctrine was the policy which prevented a media outlet from simply pushing a political agenda of their own, without presenting equal time to opposing views. So a Rush Limbaugh could not be on a station in between a Dennis Prager and Sean Hannity. Programming with an alternate point of view would be required to provide balance. Of course, that would also mean you could have not had an Air America Radio either. With the fairness doctrine in place, however, there would be no need for Air America on radio or some of MSNBC's television programming. While I am happy there is finally an alternative to right wing "wacko" radio, I miss the days when it was not needed. It is nice to see that there is now some balance on the air. On television, MSNBC with it's block of progressive tilted programming of Keith Olberman, Rachel Maddow, & Ed Schulz, add a national counter to FOX. Air America, while less successful now provides a liberal presence on radio.
As a lifelong political news junkie I have listened to talk radio for as long as I can remember. The talk radio of my youth, however, has little relation to what passes for talk radio these days. There were hosts with strong opinions, guests with diverse points of view, and much to be learned from a reasoned debate of issues over the airwaves. Today, however, we are faced with an array of ideologues preaching to their own choir. Rather than a balanced exchange of ideas, talk radio has become a contributor to the polarized nature of political discussion in this country. I believe the elimination of the fairness doctrine in the late 80's is in large part responsible for this trend.
That is why I favor renewing the fairness doctrine. Although there is no chance of it happening.
Growing up in the Detroit market we had a wonderful talk show host named David Newman. Thanks to clear nights and strong radio signals, on many evenings I was able to hear Boston's WBZ, and their host, David Brudnoy, who sadly passed away a few years ago. I enjoyed both of these programs despite the fact that both hosts were far more conservative in their politics than myself. In today's world my blood pressure would not be able to stand listening to more than 5 minutes of Rush or Hannity. In the late 70's and through much of the 80's, however, I enjoyed listening to intelligent conversation and a reasoned debate of issues. The hosts, guests, and callers could discuss any issue, and amazingly sometimes the conservative person would actually credit the liberal with making a good point, and vice-versa. Fast forward to today, and that almost never happens. Whichever side a guest or host represents, he or she must staunchly defend that turf. To concede a point or admit validity to an opposing view is to lose the battle. I think Jon Stewart, got it right, when he lambasted CNN's Crossfire program. It is the "crossfire-a-zation" of all media, and it does harm the country.
Of course, congress could choose instead to restore the limitations on ownership of the airwaves, and allow a return to local content. Unfortunately, that is about as likely to happen as a return to the fairness doctrine.
