House GOP wants to ban Fairness Doctrine, even though one doesn't currently exist

[babylonsister]

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/house-gop-renews-press-for-measure-on-fairness-doctrine-2008-06-11.html

House GOP renews press for measure on Fairness Doctrine
By Jackie Kucinich
Posted: 06/11/08 07:42 PM


House Republican leaders and conservative groups gathered in the afternoon heat Wednesday to call for Democrats to sign a discharge petition that would force a floor vote to ban the so-called Fairness Doctrine.

Brent Bozell, president of the Media Research Center; Americans for Tax Reform’s Grover Norquist; Craig Parshall from the National Religious Broadcasters; and syndicated radio host Laura Ingraham joined Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) and House leaders to encourage listeners of conservative programs to contact Democratic members before July 4.

Pence filed the Broadcaster Freedom Act as a discharge petition last October. It has 194 Republican signatures, but no Democrats have signed on. A discharge petition needs 218 signatures to force a floor vote.

Pence’s measure has broad bipartisan support, having overwhelmingly passed last year an amendment to a spending bill. The provisions were later dropped in conference.

Republicans insist that the so-called Fairness Doctrine, which requires radio stations to give equal time for Democratic and Republican programming — would cripple conservative radio.

Pence’s bill would prohibit the president from reinstating the Fairness Doctrine without congressional action.

Some Democrats have said it makes little sense to ban something that doesn’t exist.

[NJmaverick]

1. A good rule of thumb, if republicans and conservatives groups want something

then it's bad for our Country. They see the hand writing on the wall. President Obama is not going to allow the MSM to be a republican propaganda tool. So they are trying to keep their advantage.

Edit to add:

Since these are the people that are always whining about the "liberal media" you would think they would want a fairness doctorine.

[Fovea]

2. Wide Stance Party Cowardice in Action.

They are like roaches on the kitchen floor at this point.

[BuelahWitch]

3. Why would somethng like this have "bi-partisan support"?

Who gives a shit if conservative radio is "crippled"? Throw it off a damn cliff and break its neck!

[Indenturedebtor]

5. Seriously the first thing that needs to happen is to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine

Getting rid of that was the first step towards the cesspool we're wallowing in now.

REINSTATE the Fairness Doctrine IMMEDIATELY!!!!!!!!!!!

[BuelahWitch]

9. Yeah, that was my point, why would Dems NOT support fairness?

I can see why the Thugs would not want the Fairness Doctrine, but why would the other side of the isle support them?

[nykym]

4. Republicans insist

that the so-called Fairness Doctrine, which requires radio stations to give equal time for Democratic and Republican programming — would cripple conservative radio.

So tell me this would be bad in what way!!!!!!

[librechik]

6. can their cravenness be any more blatant?

They are so over.

[Jim__]

7. Yea, let's ban fairness. The dems ought to be able to get some mileage out of that - n/t

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. Showing strategic thinking

they will make this an issue in the election

I am willing to wager that, and they know that if anything LIKE the doctrine comes back, their dominance will be over

BUT... this is also a way to say to the base, see they didn't want to do this since they could not compete in the market place

Only way to deal with them is to actually understand how they frame issues

This is just the beginning... you start by framing something that is not law yet, but rather popular with the base

[gatorboy]

10. I love it. Conservatives: "You can't do this...We need the advantage!" n/t

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

11. 20% of the population and 80% of the money makes a nice little gig.

:think: