Comments on: Here Comes The Fairness Act http://novatownhall.com/2009/02/06/here-comes-the-fairness-act/ updated, and a little more mellow Sat, 20 Mar 2010 16:03:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: dans http://novatownhall.com/2009/02/06/here-comes-the-fairness-act/comment-page-1/#comment-26657 dans Mon, 17 Aug 2009 20:45:34 +0000 http://novatownhall.com/2009/02/06/here-comes-the-fairness-act/#comment-26657 diana, This in essence is the situation in China. Google, Yahoo, and others have been quite active in helping to close access to "unapproved" internet sites at the request of the Chinese government. diana,

This in essence is the situation in China. Google, Yahoo, and others have been quite active in helping to close access to “unapproved” internet sites at the request of the Chinese government.

]]> By: diana http://novatownhall.com/2009/02/06/here-comes-the-fairness-act/comment-page-1/#comment-26652 diana Mon, 17 Aug 2009 13:54:13 +0000 http://novatownhall.com/2009/02/06/here-comes-the-fairness-act/#comment-26652 Would a possible workaround be for servers to be bought and maintained offshore? Then people could get e-mail addresses, post blogs, get web sites, etc. and the US would have no control or authority over them. Am I correct? Would a possible workaround be for servers to be bought and maintained offshore? Then people could get e-mail addresses, post blogs, get web sites, etc. and the US would have no control or authority over them. Am I correct?

]]> By: Had Enough http://novatownhall.com/2009/02/06/here-comes-the-fairness-act/comment-page-1/#comment-19970 Had Enough Sun, 15 Feb 2009 03:30:10 +0000 http://novatownhall.com/2009/02/06/here-comes-the-fairness-act/#comment-19970 Talk of halting talk radio continues: Fairness Doctrine Talk Floats http://www.televisionbroadcast.com/article/74668 Talk of halting talk radio continues:

Fairness Doctrine Talk Floats

http://www.televisionbroadcast.com/article/74668

]]> By: Had Enough http://novatownhall.com/2009/02/06/here-comes-the-fairness-act/comment-page-1/#comment-19787 Had Enough Mon, 09 Feb 2009 02:53:44 +0000 http://novatownhall.com/2009/02/06/here-comes-the-fairness-act/#comment-19787 On September 20, 2007, Obama submits a letter to a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) hearing encouraging diversity in the media and the promotion of “localism;” one month later Obama sends another letter to FCC Chairman Martin emphasizing that the Commission has failed in that regard. Note that the FCC “localism” rule can be used to remove a radio station’s broadcast license, putting it off the air and out of business. Note also that the liberal organization, “Center for American Progress” (CAP), issued a report in 2007 concluding there were too many conservatives on the radio and called on the FCC to use the localism rule accordingly; the CEO of CAP is John Podesta, former Clinton staffer and the eventual head of Obama’s White House transition team. Obama’s pastor, Reverend Jeremiah Wright, had successfully lobbied the FCC to take away the broadcast license of a station it felt was not covering the civil rights movement fairly. When questioned about attempts by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to introduce legislation (a re-introduction of a “Fairness Doctrine”) that would restrict conservative radio talk show hosts like Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity, Obama’s campaign press secretary, Michael Ortiz, says Obama supports “media-ownership caps, network neutrality” and more “public broadcasting.” Obama will support the Pelosi legislation. Ortiz further states that Obama considers the fairness doctrine debate to be “…a distraction from the conversation we should be having about opening up the airwaves and modern communications to as many diverse viewpoints as possible.” Obama’s approach to silencing radio critics like Limbaugh and Hannity will likely rely, instead, on an existing “localism” rule in FCC regulations; that rule requires stations to serve the interests of their local communities in order to keep their FCC broadcast licenses. As President, Obama will have the opportunity to replace at least one FCC member, which could allow him to define “localism” in a way that reduces the influence of conservative broadcasters, and allows radio station licenses to be revoked and given to liberal minority owners. On September 20, 2007, Obama submits a letter to a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) hearing encouraging diversity in the media and the promotion of “localism;” one month later Obama sends another letter to FCC Chairman Martin emphasizing that the Commission has failed in that regard. Note that the FCC “localism” rule can be used to remove a radio station’s broadcast license, putting it off the air and out of business. Note also that the liberal organization, “Center for American Progress” (CAP), issued a report in 2007 concluding there were too many conservatives on the radio and called on the FCC to use the localism rule accordingly; the CEO of CAP is John Podesta, former Clinton staffer and the eventual head of Obama’s White House transition team. Obama’s pastor, Reverend Jeremiah Wright, had successfully lobbied the FCC to take away the broadcast license of a station it felt was not covering the civil rights movement fairly.

When questioned about attempts by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to introduce legislation (a re-introduction of a “Fairness Doctrine”) that would restrict conservative radio talk show hosts like Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity, Obama’s campaign press secretary, Michael Ortiz, says Obama supports “media-ownership caps, network neutrality” and more “public broadcasting.” Obama will support the Pelosi legislation. Ortiz further states that Obama considers the fairness doctrine debate to be “…a distraction from the conversation we should be having about opening up the airwaves and modern communications to as many diverse viewpoints as possible.” Obama’s approach to silencing radio critics like Limbaugh and Hannity will likely rely, instead, on an existing “localism” rule in FCC regulations; that rule requires stations to serve the interests of their local communities in order to keep their FCC broadcast licenses. As President, Obama will have the opportunity to replace at least one FCC member, which could allow him to define “localism” in a way that reduces the influence of conservative broadcasters, and allows radio station licenses to be revoked and given to liberal minority owners.

]]> By: Rachelfriend http://novatownhall.com/2009/02/06/here-comes-the-fairness-act/comment-page-1/#comment-19743 Rachelfriend Sat, 07 Feb 2009 06:51:51 +0000 http://novatownhall.com/2009/02/06/here-comes-the-fairness-act/#comment-19743 I would love equal time too. I think the Republicans should draft legislation tonight, and call it the "Equal Time Act of 2009". All radio and broadcast television news and information programs (including NPR) would be required to give equal time to conservatives and liberals. If Democrats are planning their "Fairness Act" then Republicans should beat them to it with an "Equal Time Act". Be proactive and start the debate early, don't wait for Democrats to draft the legislation. Include provisions that truly support "equal time" and then step back and watch the Democrats try to fight against the "fairness" of it all. If we end up with Mark Levin vs. Chris Matthews on a regular basis, I'll be thrilled! I would love equal time too. I think the Republicans should draft legislation tonight, and call it the “Equal Time Act of 2009″. All radio and broadcast television news and information programs (including NPR) would be required to give equal time to conservatives and liberals. If Democrats are planning their “Fairness Act” then Republicans should beat them to it with an “Equal Time Act”. Be proactive and start the debate early, don’t wait for Democrats to draft the legislation. Include provisions that truly support “equal time” and then step back and watch the Democrats try to fight against the “fairness” of it all. If we end up with Mark Levin vs. Chris Matthews on a regular basis, I’ll be thrilled!

]]> By: dans http://novatownhall.com/2009/02/06/here-comes-the-fairness-act/comment-page-1/#comment-19727 dans Sat, 07 Feb 2009 03:01:40 +0000 http://novatownhall.com/2009/02/06/here-comes-the-fairness-act/#comment-19727 Going after CBS was the wrong thing to do here. Going after CBS was the wrong thing to do here.

]]> By: Jack http://novatownhall.com/2009/02/06/here-comes-the-fairness-act/comment-page-1/#comment-19725 Jack Sat, 07 Feb 2009 02:31:46 +0000 http://novatownhall.com/2009/02/06/here-comes-the-fairness-act/#comment-19725 That was ridiculous, puffy. Suing Janet Jackson and her side-kick, sure, but w/o evidence that CBS knew of the stunt beforehand, no. That was ridiculous, puffy. Suing Janet Jackson and her side-kick, sure, but w/o evidence that CBS knew of the stunt beforehand, no.

]]> By: Rachelfriend http://novatownhall.com/2009/02/06/here-comes-the-fairness-act/comment-page-1/#comment-19723 Rachelfriend Sat, 07 Feb 2009 01:35:21 +0000 http://novatownhall.com/2009/02/06/here-comes-the-fairness-act/#comment-19723 CBS/Janet Jackson? I was against the government suing CBS, just like I'd be against the station down south being sued because someone spliced porn into their live feed. It was something done using their airwaves but not by them. I would have preferred it if Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson had been sued. CBS/Janet Jackson? I was against the government suing CBS, just like I’d be against the station down south being sued because someone spliced porn into their live feed. It was something done using their airwaves but not by them. I would have preferred it if Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson had been sued.

]]> By: Wolverine http://novatownhall.com/2009/02/06/here-comes-the-fairness-act/comment-page-1/#comment-19720 Wolverine Sat, 07 Feb 2009 01:25:09 +0000 http://novatownhall.com/2009/02/06/here-comes-the-fairness-act/#comment-19720 I would absolutely love equal time. Imagine Mark Levin co-hosting with Chris Matthews at that moment when Chris described the thrills running up his leg! That would make media history! I would absolutely love equal time. Imagine Mark Levin co-hosting with Chris Matthews at that moment when Chris described the thrills running up his leg! That would make media history!

]]> By: stay puft marshmallow man http://novatownhall.com/2009/02/06/here-comes-the-fairness-act/comment-page-1/#comment-19719 stay puft marshmallow man Sat, 07 Feb 2009 01:13:42 +0000 http://novatownhall.com/2009/02/06/here-comes-the-fairness-act/#comment-19719 How did all y'all feel about CBS getting sued for Janet Jackson's wardrobe malfunction? MSNBC is cable, by the way. How did all y’all feel about CBS getting sued for Janet Jackson’s wardrobe malfunction?

MSNBC is cable, by the way.

]]> By: ACTivist http://novatownhall.com/2009/02/06/here-comes-the-fairness-act/comment-page-1/#comment-19716 ACTivist Fri, 06 Feb 2009 21:04:06 +0000 http://novatownhall.com/2009/02/06/here-comes-the-fairness-act/#comment-19716 I'm for it. Think about when O-bummer gets on the tube and rants, cries and whines on all the networks. Then think about an equal time rebuttal from, say, Mark Levin. That would put an end to the fairness doctrine and just plain ban conservative talk. I’m for it. Think about when O-bummer gets on the tube and rants, cries and whines on all the networks. Then think about an equal time rebuttal from, say, Mark Levin. That would put an end to the fairness doctrine and just plain ban conservative talk.

]]> By: dans http://novatownhall.com/2009/02/06/here-comes-the-fairness-act/comment-page-1/#comment-19709 dans Fri, 06 Feb 2009 17:43:13 +0000 http://novatownhall.com/2009/02/06/here-comes-the-fairness-act/#comment-19709 "broadcasting licenses are limited by the finite number of available frequencies." Let's expand on this logic, a term I use loosely. The Internet also has a finite number of public IP addresses. Given this, shouldn't this 'Fairness' also apply to the Internet as well ? I would say it is samo-samo. Sites like Huffington, KOS and others need to offer a counterpoint "to ensure that a variety of views, beyond those of the licensees and those they favored were heard". “broadcasting licenses are limited by the finite number of available frequencies.”

Let’s expand on this logic, a term I use loosely.

The Internet also has a finite number of public IP addresses. Given this, shouldn’t this ‘Fairness’ also apply to the Internet as well ?

I would say it is samo-samo. Sites like Huffington, KOS and others need to offer a counterpoint “to ensure that a variety of views, beyond those of the licensees and those they favored were heard”.

]]> By: Jack http://novatownhall.com/2009/02/06/here-comes-the-fairness-act/comment-page-1/#comment-19704 Jack Fri, 06 Feb 2009 14:27:39 +0000 http://novatownhall.com/2009/02/06/here-comes-the-fairness-act/#comment-19704 You are trying to apply logic to liberals, John. It just doesn't stick. You are trying to apply logic to liberals, John. It just doesn’t stick.

]]> By: Prester John http://novatownhall.com/2009/02/06/here-comes-the-fairness-act/comment-page-1/#comment-19703 Prester John Fri, 06 Feb 2009 14:17:06 +0000 http://novatownhall.com/2009/02/06/here-comes-the-fairness-act/#comment-19703 Are not the broadcast TV stations also operating on the public air ways? If so, would that not make them also subject to a "Fairness Doctrine"? Forcing that on TV networks might be cruel though, half of the staff of People's Broadcast System would probably stroke over if they were forced to give equal time to those on the other side of Bill Moyer and company. And I'm sure ABC, NBC, and CBS would not appreciate having to put on Fox News-like morning and evening news broadcasts to blance out their own news shows which are nothing more than propaganda outlets for the DNC. Are not the broadcast TV stations also operating on the public air ways? If so, would that not make them also subject to a “Fairness Doctrine”?

Forcing that on TV networks might be cruel though, half of the staff of People’s Broadcast System would probably stroke over if they were forced to give equal time to those on the other side of Bill Moyer and company.

And I’m sure ABC, NBC, and CBS would not appreciate having to put on Fox News-like morning and evening news broadcasts to blance out their own news shows which are nothing more than propaganda outlets for the DNC.

]]> By: G. Stone http://novatownhall.com/2009/02/06/here-comes-the-fairness-act/comment-page-1/#comment-19702 G. Stone Fri, 06 Feb 2009 13:14:49 +0000 http://novatownhall.com/2009/02/06/here-comes-the-fairness-act/#comment-19702 Do not believe satellite radio is safe. This will not stop at the AM/ FM dial. Do not believe satellite radio is safe. This will not stop at the AM/ FM dial.

]]>