Friday, July 13, 2007

Bush and the Fairness Doctrine   [Byron York]

There's been a lot of speculation on Capitol Hill about the possibilty of reinstating the Fairness Doctrine, especially after Sens. Dick Durbin and John Kerry announced their support for the idea. (The issue is also on the cover of the new issue of NR.) But today Allan Hubbard, director of the National Economic Council, announced that the president would veto any legislation attempting to revive the Doctrine. Hubbard's letter to all "interested parties":

As you probably know, some Members of Congress have recently indicated their desire to seek legislation to regulate what is said on the radio by reinstating the so-called Fairness Doctrine, which was abolished in 1987 after the FCC concluded that "a multiplicity of voices in the marketplace assured diversity of opinion" on our airwaves. Since then, the multiplicity of voices has significantly increased — and the case for the Fairness Doctrine is weaker than ever. Reinstating the Fairness Doctrine would muzzle political debate and free speech. I therefore want you to know that the President would veto any legislation reinstating the Fairness Doctrine.

07/13 09:34 PMShare