John Kerry not to push for the Fairness Doctrine

[beachmom]

http://news.bostonherald.com/news/politics/view/2009_03_13_John_Kerry_won_t_shout_about_Fairness:_Knocks_conservative_radio__backs_off_law/srvc=home&position=7

John Kerry won’t shout about Fairness

Knocks conservative radio, backs off law

Sen. John Kerry says talk radio has become too “confrontational” and “thrives on the perpetual shouting match” - but bringing back the Fairness Doctrine to curb the noise isn’t among his top priorities.

“It’s conflict-orientated. It sort of thrives on the perpetual shouting match, which I think is a shame,” said Kerry, who recently became chairman of the new Communications and Technology Subcommittee.

...

During a 2007 radio interview, Kerry said the “Fairness Doctrine ought to be there, and I also think the equal-time doctrine ought to come back.” But yesterday, the Massachusetts Democratic told the Herald that the doctrine isn’t among his top priorities.

“There are so many diverse sources of media today, and it’s not particularly easy now to enforce it,” he said. “But I think that the communications industry as a whole ought to have some loose standards.”

I think this is a case of precedent. Meaning, it has been this way for over 20 years, and with the internet, cable TV, satellite radio, etc. things have changed so much, it is too late to bring it back. I actually don't agree with him that it is a "shouting match". Actually, it's just a guy shouting, where everyone he is talking to and listening in AGREES with him. Completely one sided. I also thing right wing talk will always get higher ratings than liberal talk, because liberals really do prefer NPR to somebody angry ranter. Still, some will be disappointed with Kerry here.

[MarjorieG]

1. Enforcement difficult, and opinion-based. Less monopoly, fewer mergers, diversity more key.

[TayTay]

2. I am not surprised.

The Fairness Doctrine is not really workable right now. I think that 2007 was closer to the whole Bad Joke incident which was amped on talk radio and so forth.

Sen. Durbin said that he is not in favor or restoring the Fairness Doctrine, nevermind the more intrusive equal-time doctrine. I figured that it is not on the agenda for anyone and would, in fact, be a distraction at this point in time. I really do think the real problem is a lack of diversity in media ownership. That is something that would be worth the time of the new Chair of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.