We’re on what I consider to be a disturbing trend in the legislative process. We are naming our laws.
There’s Megan’s Law (sex offender notification), Lottie’s Law (murder of the elderly), the Brooke Blanchard Law (death caused when struck by a teenage drunk driver) and most of us know about the Amber Alert (public notification in the case of a kidnapped child). According to MADD, the anti-drunk driving organization, more than 50 laws have been named for victims over the past few years. "The headstone of the 1990s (became) not a concrete marker, but a law," said psychologist Robert D. Butterworth.
Giving a law a name is also a way to give it a push through the legislative process. A lawmaker might not agree with the substance of a bill, but how could he or she be against honoring the victim of a (fill-in-the-blank with the crime of your choice)?
That’s one reason why the red light went on when it was announced that Rep. Louise Slaughter, D-Fairport (representing a portion of Niagara County), is supporting a drive to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine when it comes to radio and television broadcasting.
While it’s not named after a human being, it is named after a concept that Americans readily accept: It’s the notion of being tolerant and respectful of our fellow citizens. But putting that label on the so-called “Fairness Doctrine” is something else as well. It’s a lie.
A little history: The original Fairness Doctrine was a policy enforced by the Federal Communications Commission beginning in 1949. It required broadcasters to present balanced views when taking on controversial subjects. It made heavy use of the “equal opportunity” or equal time provision of the Communication Act of 1937.
But while fairness was the policy’s intent, its real-world impact was something quite different. In a study in the mid-1980s, the FCC found that the doctrine had a chilling effect on discussion and debate. Broadcasters were fearful that their licenses could be put in jeopardy if they ran afoul of the policy, so they avoided controversy at all. In the deregulatory spirit of the times and the effort to spur debate, President Ronald Reagan ordered the Fairness Doctrine off the FCC’s books in 1987.
Now some members of Congress, including Rep. Slaughter, want to go back to the bad old days of broadcasting, giving the Fairness Doctrine the force of law. It might better be called the “Let’s Lose Limbaugh Law.”
Ever since the conservative radio talk-show host and others like him have been skewering Democratic politicians and liberal-leaning thinkers, the left wing has been looking for a way to get rid of them. They couldn’t do it the good old American way, out-compete them. The liberals have tried but have failed miserably.
The latest push, the liberal-leaning Air America radio network, is barely alive, struggling its way out of bankruptcy protection. Whether its a case of having popular ideas or simply being better broadcasters than the liberals, Limbaugh and friends have thrived where the rest have not survived.
So, in the typical left wing way of doing things, if you can’t compete, try to destroy your opponents by legislating them out of existence. This would probably do it. Few radio or television station owners would dare carry controversial programming if it meant the government thought police threatening the core of their businesses: Their licenses to transmit over the airwaves.
The argument that the Fairness Doctrine gives everyone a say on the scarce broadcast spectrum no longer holds water. An expanded AM band, the explosive growth of FM and now satellite radio gives room for almost all viewpoints on the radio; the same goes for cable and satellite on television. We all have the freedom to choose what we want to listen to and watch and tune out what we’d rather ignore.
Take it from someone who has worked in broadcasting longer than Rep. Slaughter has been in Congress: Turning the Fairness Doctrine into law would be a mistake. There’s nothing fair about it.
Dick Lucinski is the managing editor of the Niagara Gazette. His columns appear on Wednesdays and Sundays.
Columns
Related Photos
LUCINSKI: Fairness Doctrine is unfair
- Columns
-
-
GLYNN: VFW post keeps spirit alive
At one time, members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars-Post 313 would march down Main Street in Youngstown on Memorial Day to the 1812 Cemetery near Old Fort Niagara. That same scenario out of the past occurred for decades in cities, towns and villages across the U.S.
-
HAMILTON: Dandelions, parades, broken poles and people
There are still those remnants of the fading bouquets of floral tributes that still hang at that base of a tree on city hall’s lawn. It is near where, last year, from his shiny silvery cart, Melvin Johnson sold hot dogs and sausages to both city employees and passerbys while his tiny white dog excitingly yelped at anyone that came near.
- No Headline Provided
-
GLYNN: Gillibrand seeks help for prime bread-winners
A recent report shows that working mothers across the Empire State earn nearly 15 percent lower pay for the same work as men.
-
BRADBERRY: There really are spirits in the water
Over the centuries since it was “discovered” hundreds of millions of people have traveled from every corner of the world to visit Niagara Falls making it the most visited of the great waterfalls on the planet.
-
CONFER: The reality of rationed health care
The ongoing debate over Obamacare has brought to light the concept of rationed healthcare. Opponents of health care reform keenly point out that while the bill never explicitly calls out rationing, it features certain provisions that will lead the markets to adjust to strict federal demands and, therefore, dispense certain procedures in smaller amounts or not at all. Because of it being the first time that the subject has really come up in public circles, most people, especially on the right, believe that rationing is something new. It’s not. The free markets have been practicing that for quite some time. I should know; with a 4-inch long, 1-inch wide scar running south of my belly button – and a couple of related scars around my groin – I could be the poster child for rationed health care.
-
CITY DESK: A regrettable error
We owe Carol Sensabough an apology.
Several weeks ago, the long-time reader and Niagara Falls resident sent a letter to the editor explaining that she took offense to some of the things written by a syndicated columnist, Stephen Dick. -
HIGGS: Niagara Falls' own West Side story
Trusello’s Bakery was on Elmwood behind the family home at 840 19th St. The family, Richard, William (Billy) and Sam along with two sisters, lived in the house.
-
GLYNN: Falls, Ont., rolls out red carpet for Wallenda
Before Nik Wallenda even started practicing his high-wire routine in downtown Niagara Falls, state Sen.George D. Maziarz, R-Newfane, had noted the warm welcome the tightrope walker received across the river.
-
HAMILTON: Civic ‘ParticipAction’ can work too
Back in the 1970s, our Neighbors to the North ran a national campaign called ParticipAction to encourage Canadians to get off their butts and do things for the sakes of their bodies.
- More Columns Headlines
-
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
