Watch Out For The "Fairness" Bullies

Sen. Stabenow wants hearings on radio 'accountability'; talks fairness doctrine


This morning, radio host Bill Press brought up the recent closing of liberal station Obama 1260 when speaking with Michigan Sen. Debbie Stabenow, and talked about whether there needs to be a balance to right-wing talk on the radio dial.

BILL PRESS: Yeah, I mean, look: They have a right to say that. They've got a right to express that. But, they should not be the only voices heard. So, is it time to bring back the Fairness Doctrine?

SENATOR DEBBIE STABENOW (D-MI): I think it's absolutely time to pass a standard. Now, whether it's called the Fairness Standard, whether it's called something else — I absolutely think it's time to be bringing accountability to the airwaves. I mean, our new president has talked rightly about accountability and transparency. You know, that we all have to step up and be responsible. And, I think in this case, there needs to be some accountability and standards put in place.

BILL PRESS: Can we count on you to push for some hearings in the United States Senate this year, to bring these owners in and hold them accountable?

SENATOR DEBBIE STABENOW (D-MI): I have already had some discussions with colleagues and, you know, I feel like that's gonna happen. Yep.

Although Obama has been publicly opposed to reinstating the fairness doctrine, conservative radio has talked nonstop about the fear of it returning (or perhaps something like it with another name) while there's a Democrat in the White House and a Democratic majority in Congress.

UPDATE: A commenter points out that Stabenow is married to Tom Athans, a liberal talk radio executive.

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My Thoughts

Liberals know that they can't compete for viewers, listeners, or readers in any of the media markets. They are consistently ignored by most of America. Liberal radio hosts and stations fail and go out of business on a regular basis. Liberal print media like the New York Times and the Seattle P-I are either in bankruptcy or on the brink of collapse. Liberal TV outlets like MSNBC and CNN are getting killed every night by Fox News.

Liberals cannot force people to actually tune in and listen to their garbage. So, they want to make the government force everyone in the media to promote liberal shows even if they lose them money.

Basically, liberals say that for every conservative there must be a liberal counterpoint. This is a losing formula for many radio and TV stations. That is why they don't do it. The government should stay out of our lives and businesses. When liberals get this through their head? They have the right to say what they say just as we have the right to ignore them.

Obama has been quoted as being against reinstating the Fairness Doctrine. However, ultra liberals like Pelosi and Reid want to have the doctrine or something very similar to it passed as soon as possible. If the legislation gets to the president's desk, will he veto it?

He has an obvious contempt for those in the conservative media. He has called out Sean Hannity many times throughout the campaign. A couple of weeks ago, he called on the GOP to ignore Rush Limbaugh. Fox News as a whole has also been a favorite target of his administration through his press secretary, Robert Gibbs, and his own comments.

He may very well succumb to the far left and sign it into law. If he does, there will be a backlash that could contribute to him losing a second term.