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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3 comments:
It's fascinating that when conservative political opinions are openly expressed on the airwaves, without subterfuge about the political and philosophical perspective of the speaker, there rises a cry from the liberal establishment for "balance."
This cry rises in spite of the fact that almost all talk radio shows invite listeners to call in to express counter positions, ideas, and contribute new information and facts to the discussion. While most listeners to talk radio are simpatico to the host, there is certainly the opportunity for people of every political/philosophical persuasion to become part of the discussion. The potential for conflict is one of the reasons that conservative talk radio has become so popular.
In contrast, take the mainstream media, which by every reasonable measure is liberal leaning (as shown by the self-identified political/philosophical beliefs of journalists revealed in survey after survey). When a "journalist" slants a story towards the liberal perspective [Katie Couric, Wolf Blitzer, Bill Moyer, and (almost) the entire staffs of the Washington Post, NYT, Time and Newsweek] or an interviewer tosses up creampuff questions to liberal politicians (Matt Lauer), or a host lets liberal politicians pompously pose and pander without challenge (Tom Brokaw, David Gregory), where’s the balance?
If the Fairness Doctrine is revived, will it be applied equally to journalists from NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN and MSNBC, when they blatantly espouse liberal perspectives on controversial public policy issues? Or will it only be applied to conservative talk radio shows, effectively shutting down an industry that is a pain in the neck for liberal politicians and a successful competitor to the MSM for audiences?
Free speech is free speech. The marketplace of ideas should not be overregulated.
And here is the rest of the story.
Fairness Doctrine advocate Senator’s husband nabbed with prostitute south of Big Beaver
Includes online ad for prostitute that lured him.
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