Extending the 'fairness doctrine' to the web

October 18, 7:28 AMSF Politics ExaminerArthur Bruzzone

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A large segment of the public would like to extend the concept of the Fairness Doctrine to the Internet.

Thirty-one percent (31%) believe the government should “require web sites that offer political commentary to present opposing viewpoints.” Fifty percent (50%) are opposed. (Rassmusen Report. August 8, 2008)

The Fairness Doctrine would require all radio and television stations to offer equal amounts of conservative and liberal political commentary.  The country tilts in favor on the issue.  The summer Rasmussen phone poll found that 47% favor that proposal and 39% are opposed. That's an increase of six percentage points in favor since the last time the public was polled (conducted June 2008).

A high profile proponent of the doctrine's core principle has been a Republican, not a Democrat.

Republican Senator Trent Lott expressed his bitterness over the outcome of the immigration debate by grumbling that “talk radio is running the country.   From NY Times, Lott said: “Talk radio is running America. We have to deal with that problem.” John McCain, who led the fight immigration reform, must have shared Lott’s appraisal at the time.  After all, McCain was co-author of the reform bill that eventually died in the U.S. Senate.

Any effort to re-institute the Fairness Doctrine would affect also left-leaning media like Pacifica Radio.

However, Robert McDowell, a Bush appointee to the Federal Communications Commission, suggested that the restoration of the Fairness Doctrine, abolished in 1987 by the Reagan administration, could lead to government regulation of content on the Internet. 

If, or most likely, when the Democrats introduce reinstitution of the “fair and balanced” doctrine for radio and TV next year, thousands of internet left-leaning websites could be threatened. That might put an end to regulating free speech in the media, whatever the technology.  As it should be.