The time is NOW: No Fairness Doctrine= more Right Wing violence

[Lorien]

We can keep pretending that cooler heads, reason and fairness will eventually prevail. We can fool ourselves into believing that if we broke up the media monopolies some of the bits and pieces would be purchased by wealthy centrists and Left wingers, we can continue to bow to the "wisdom" of Rush Limbaugh, who has convinced many here that the Fairness Doctrine strangled first amendment rights. The opposite is the true: without the Fairness Doctrine the left has been muzzled for nearly 30 years by the right wing corporate noise machine. THEY own the bullhorn, and they won't share it unless they are forced to.

We need a return to sane media: when editorials, like the entirety of the Beck and O'Reilly shows, were clearly labeled "OPINION" in a corner of the screen. We need to return to media that by law gave those with opposing viewpoints equal time to voice those views. If you are too young to recall the news media prior to Reagan's repeal of the Fairness Doctrine, then look up some old Cronkite or Morrow broadcasts. Notice the straight delivery of the news without spin and wild eyed sensationalism. What it's been replaced with today is akin to having a political debate where the camera is focused on one candidate, and the other has his or her mic shut off, while questions are tailored to create the most favorable impression of the chosen candidate possible. The repeal of the Fairness Doctrine created the America that we live in today, and it created the environment that led to yesterday's shooting. We can continue to pretend that we can create a better future without it, but to believe that you must also believe that every corrupt institution will self correct through "the magic of the free market" and without regulation. How well has any of that worked for us so far?

Don't wait for someone in the corporate media to tell you that it's OK to demand that the Fairness Doctrine be reinstated. Demand it NOW. Write your representatives. The snowball will only gain speed on it's downward trajectory if we continue to ignore it.

[MannyGoldstein]

1. Indeed. Absolutely. Yes!!!

Thanks!

[valerief]

2. Bingo! nt

[onenote]

3. Reinstating the FD isn't going to stop political violence

It certainly didn't prevent political violence while it was in effect.

[Lorien]

5. Right wing hatred was not MAINSTREAM in the 1960's

the Palins and Becks back then were "fringe" characters who were publicly denounced. Today the media coddles them in a way that would have been unimaginable back then.

[WingDinger]

8. Hillary better run soon, or she will be facing the Kardashians.

[Lorien]

11. But is that what we're waiting for? Why DO we wait for the MSM to tell us what

we're "allowed" to focus on as an important issue? I'll see a thread about someone getting thrown off a plane for wearing a T-shirt that made someone uncomfortable, and 16 related threads will pop up here on DU, some with over 100 replies each. But the important stuff? The stuff that MIGHT ACTUALLY GIVE US A PEACEFUL AND FAIR DEMOCRACY, that's something that we DON'T talk about here. We react to the MSM while the Right wing has learned how to make the MSM react to their demands. WE are the only ones who will make the life altering issues come to the table. If we do nothing it will just get worse for all of us. Much worse.

[Hannah Bell]

20. +100

[Lorien]

27. I keep wondering if the Left will ever stop playing defense

and try going on the offensive for a change. I know that a few of us here do just that; write endlessly to our reps demanding change-but they rest will quickly tell us that letter and phone calls and boycotts won't amount to anything-yet they offer no alternatives. Complaining amongst ourselves does not qualify as political activism.

[Kingofalldems]

4. K and R

Fairnes Doctrine would allow a response to violent rhetoric.

[ProudProgressiveNow]

6. k&R

[xchrom]

7. Hell yes. Nt

[MisterP]

9. nah, that would be sensible, reasonable, benefical

the loonies will scream it's an unconstitutional and "losing issue" like gun control and command us to abandon it
like the pro-gun, anti-fairness doctrine Blue Dogs did SO well in November

[Lorien]

10. We can't continue to allow them to determine what a "winning" or "losing" issue is

If we want to have any hope of ever living in a Democracy, then the Fairness Doctrine must be restored along with finally committing ourselves to true election reform. We not only have to reverse the Citizens United ruling, but we also have to put strict limits on campaign spending in future elections. Money should not equal speech, and in both cases that's exactly what has happened; the only ones who now have a voice are the uber wealthy. Election reform should be an easy sell: If you can't run an effective campaign on a budget, then you can't run a city or State effectively on a budget either.

But what I'm seeing here on DU is a lot of wasted effort. Trying to change anything without addressing message control and money in politics will amount to zilch. We can elect what seems like the best possible option, only to have that politician fall in line because big money and their spin machines are completely in control. They know it, but somehow we still refuse to accept it-and still waste time and energy spinning our wheels while not addressing the true barriers to EVERYTHING that we try to accomplish!

[RainDog]

12. excellent call n/t

this is what our media needs to stop the lies and make pols accountable for their statements.

[Stinky The Clown]

13. I agree with your sentiment, but the Fairness Doctrine won't help at all

I used to think the same thing as you. But go read the actual fairness doctrine. It will not help get rid of - or balance out - Rush Beckk or Glenn Limbaugh.

[onenote]

17. +1

[Lorien]

18. you don't recall, then, when the law required that OPINION be placed in the frame

when an opinion-and not facts-were being discussed? I REMEMBER, and if the Fairness Doctrine had no effect for our side, then why was Reagan so hellbent on repealing it?

He knew damn well what he was doing. We're living in the world he knew would exist if he effectively muzzled his opponents. And he has muzzled us. Just turn on the TV and listen.

Nothing will change unless we reinstate the Fairness Doctrine and enact true election reform.

[upi402]

14. Randi and Stephanie will just have to deal with it

We demand it, and it's even more important than their radio shows.

We need it all returned. and then some - it may be too late, however, but need to try to coax the genie back into the bottle at least.

[Name removed]

15. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[nashville_brook]

16. damn right. there was a reason for the FD in the first place.

[Lorien]

25. Yes, to ensure that what has happened wouldn't happen

where one party essentially controls the Country.

[Doremus]

19. Yes. And ownership rules should be strengthened again. nt

[Swamp Rat]

21. k&r

[Pooka Fey]

22. K&R

[dreamnightwind]

23. It couldn't hurt

Opinion posing as news reporting is not a good thing. At the very least it needs to be labeled correctly.

Kudos for focusing on the main issues, which are money's influence on elections and the resulting politicians, and spinning down the propaganda machine.

[Enthusiast]

24. K&R

Thank you, Lorien. Another excellent post!

[Desertrose]

26. K&R