The Fairness Doctrine sounds a lot better than it actually was: CNN Editorial

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

Opinion: The Fairness Doctrine sounds a lot better than it actually was

Nicole Hemmer says a return to the Fairness Doctrine wouldn't curb the damage caused by the far-right media ecosystem fueling much of America's conspiracy-driven politics -- and notes that recent arguments for its restoration overlook important history of how the rule worked when it was in place.

www.cnn.com

One example used was the Nixon Administration and conservative groups accuse PBS of being lopsided as the cons of using the fairness doctrine.

 

[Megatron]

The Fairness Doctrine doesn't need to come back it is outdated plus it would hurt the broadcast groups where they wouldn't talk about a topic for fear that they would get sued if someone feels that their side got a fair shake on the topic. The Fairness Doctrine would be a form of censorship that is wrong got so many choices now than when it was in place in the '50s, '60s when there were only like 3 or 4 channels along with newspapers. It was a good thing when the Fairness Doctrine went away in the late '80s

 

[b-turner]

The Fairness Doctrine is not needed today. With all the sources of information, both factual, not factual, partisan on both sides and such, broadcasters are merely a part of the mix of resources available to the public. In fact one of the reasons for the Fairness Doctrine in the first place was a lack of plentiful media sources to insure all sides were heard and represented.

 

[boombox4]

If CNN is truly against a reinstatement of the Fairness Doctrine, one wonders what it is that they are really afraid of.

 

[TheBigA]

If CNN is truly against a reinstatement of the Fairness Doctrine, one wonders what it is that they are really afraid of.

Keep in mind this article is clearly stated as "Opinion" from a particular writer. It doesn't necessarily represent the views of CNN.

This disclaimer is at the top of the article: Nicole Hemmer is an associate research scholar at Columbia University with the Obama Presidency Oral History Project and the author of "Messengers of the Right: Conservative Media and the Transformation of American Politics." She co-hosts the history podcast "Past Present" and "This Day in Esoteric Political History." The views expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author. View more opinion articles on CNN.

 

[KeithE4]

If CNN is truly against a reinstatement of the Fairness Doctrine, one wonders what it is that they are really afraid of.

The Fairness Doctrine was never a law passed by Congress. It was an FCC policy. The FCC has no jurisdiction over cable TV, the print media, or internet content. CNN was never subject to it, any more than Fox Television Stations licenses are subject to revocation by the FCC over the content of Fox News Channel.

 

[boombox4]

Keep in mind this article is clearly stated as "Opinion" from a particular writer. It doesn't necessarily represent the views of CNN.

This disclaimer is at the top of the article: Nicole Hemmer is an associate research scholar at Columbia University with the Obama Presidency Oral History Project and the author of "Messengers of the Right: Conservative Media and the Transformation of American Politics." She co-hosts the history podcast "Past Present" and "This Day in Esoteric Political History." The views expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author. View more opinion articles on CNN.

And if I look at the rest of the opinions on the CNN opinions page they all reflect the general bent that CNN favors.

 

[boombox4]

The Fairness Doctrine was never a law passed by Congress. It was an FCC policy. The FCC has no jurisdiction over cable TV, the print media, or internet content. CNN was never subject to it, any more than Fox Television Stations licenses are subject to revocation by the FCC over the content of Fox News Channel.

Understood. But we live in a climate where policies like the Fairness Doctrine are brought up, suggesting it as a way to counter certain forms of speech. The writer of the opinion piece even mentions it: that some ill-informed politicians (like Andrew Yang) think re-enacting some sort of Fairness Doctrine would "eliminate the scourge of right-wing media."

 

[TheBigA]

And if I look at the rest of the opinions on the CNN opinions page they all reflect the general bent that CNN favors.

Is it clearly labeled "Opinion?" Isn't that what you want? It's free speech. You want to quash it?

You don't get that label on Fox News when they broadcast the CPAC convention, do you?

 

[boombox4]

Is it clearly labeled "Opinion?" Isn't that what you want? It's free speech. You want to quash it?

You don't get that label on Fox News when they broadcast the CPAC convention, do you?

I don't watch Fox News, so I don't know what they do when they broadcast a political convention. Usually, when a news network broadcasts a political convention, they do it as news. Maybe Fox doesn't. I don't know.