Fairness Doctrine - Will it have an effect on local radio?

[nobodyofimportance]

Yesterday a Rasmussen poll reports that 47% of Americans believe the government should require all radio and television stations to offer equal amounts of conservative and liberal political commentary.

http://rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_politics/47_favor_government_mandated_political_balance_on_radio_tv

What will this do, if anything, to local radio?

In your opinion, will this include humor? (you had 6 jokes about McCain, but only 3 about Obama therefore you must be bias towards Obama...etc)

Also, the FCC may include internet content in the updated fairness doctrine.

http://www.businessandmedia.org/articles/2008/20080812160747.aspx

Will that kill local blogs and comment pages on broadcast websites?

I look forward to your comments and insight

 

[cooptulsa]

Since the Fairness Doctrine went away, what has happened to the flow of information of all sorts? It has absolutely exploded! I don't think there's a cause and effect there, but the reality is that in the intervening years...sat radio, web radio, internet, more TV availability, etc...give plenty of outlets for all points of view on everything. That people in a close to 50% number seem to want the govt to have a role in the flow of info is a testament to their own laziness for some; for others, that their point of view on something is the minority point of view!

To regulate anything on the basis of the Communications Act of 1933 is absurd. That assumed limited access to info...via a limited number of outlets...at the time AM radio...and that hardly describes our culture today!

 

[G Thompson]

Agreed.

(Opening a can of worms)

Get the government too involved in most anything and it's a recipe for disaster. Government has it's place. But it sure as crap ain't gonna solve the problems existing in our country (or industry).

The people who believe government is the answer to all of our problems are either decieved or just plain lazy. Expecting the dang government to fix your problems is like the greater chicken population expecting Colonel Sanders to make their lives easier.

The only people who'll solve the problems of the American people are the American People when you get right down to it. "

OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE, AND FOR THE PEOPLE...ETC"

This is why I think it's hillarious that the masses are following politicians like mice behind the piper. Politics today are a far cry from what they were in the days of our founding fathers. I don't think the founding fathers would recognize the form of our current government.

Then again...maybe they would recognize it. They ran away from some of the same types of games where they came from.

 

[BenTehelenbach]

If the Fairness Doctrine advocates get their way, that will pretty much kill talk radio as a business worth investing in for a return. Then if the RIAA gets their way on airplay compensation, that will kill music radio.

 

[milton77]

I am sure that many Sports Animal fans will appreciate getting the opportunity to have an equal amount of time on the radio devoted to OSU, other sports, etc

/sarcasm

 

[Kent]

Yesterday a Rasmussen poll reports that 47% of Americans believe the government should require all radio and television stations to offer equal amounts of conservative and liberal political commentary.

According to the article I saw, the same survey also showed 71% of Americans felt there was enough diversity in radio that any viewpoint could be heard.

What will this do, if anything, to local radio?

Nothing. The Fairness Doctrine isn't likely to come back anytime soon.

Also, the FCC may include internet content in the updated fairness doctrine.

The article I read said any attempt to revive the Fairness Doctrine would probably also be tied to net neutrality. Net neutrality shouldn't harm blogs or regulate internet content in way, shape or form. Net neutrality has nothing to do with regulating content; it's an issue with how the internet's backbone should be managed. Should businesses be able to pay for faster loads, or should internet traffic be managed indiscriminately? That's really all the net neutrality issue is. I saw what Commissioner McDowell said, and it didn't make a whole lot of sense. It seemed like he was overreaching on the definition of net neutrality.