Fairness Doctrine

The other day I received an email from a conservative friend. In this email the subject of the fairness doctrine was discussed. The email called the possibility of a return to that doctrine instituting censorship. This email startled me because I couldn't understand how fairness translated to censorship in the minds of my friends that are conservative. After all if your airing all sides of an issue aren't you allowing all opinions to be heard and not censoring anything. When you only allow one side of an issue and do not allow diverse opinions isn't that censorship? Lastly, on most talk stations isn't that what we have today? 

The radio and television airwaves are limited resources that are in the hands of a few corporations. Unlike the printed media that is unlimited in scope and can have an infinite number of outlets. The airwaves are finite. Further the airwaves belong to all the people and the government leases these airwaves and  has an obligation to make sure they are of benefit to all the people. The Fairness Doctrine was established by the FCC in 1949 to insure that the fair use of the airwaves were followed. 

The Fairness doctrine was in play until 1987 when the then commissioner Dennis R Patrick ended the regulation. Patrick was a Ronald Reagan lawyer and was newly appointed as FCC commissioner. Since that time more and more time has been devoted to the right wing of society on radio and television following the dictates of the conservative captains of that industry. Today you couldn't find a country run by a dictator that has a more one sided discussion of issues than the United States.  

Personally, I don't understand why the right is so exercised by the re-institution of the fairness doctrine. If your ideas are valid, a free discussion can only enhance the righteousness of your issues. I know personally I have modified my views over the years by hearing what people who have different opinions than mine have to say. In a democracy, the people can only make wise decisions by listening to open discussion of the issues that confront them

To see a fuller discussion of this issue you might follow this link http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0212-03.htm