Target Talk Radio
by Paul M. Weyrich
Issue 120 - November 19, 2008

Is there growing opposition to re-imposition of the so-called Fairness Doctrine or is there a clever effort - maybe a plot? - to convince opponents of the doctrine that they need not worry?

I have been feeling rather blue. Those who know me know that I never give up without a fight. My problem is with the so-called “Fairness Doctrine,” which represents the opposite of fairness. Talk Radio, as we now know it, represents one of the very few weapons in the conservative media arsenal. 630 WMAL’s brilliant commentator, Chris Plante, has declared that 2008 is the year that true journalism died in the United States of America. I agree with him. The national media overwhelmingly supported Sen. Barack H. Obama, all but carrying his bags as he goes abroad? With the exception of the Fox News Channel the television media is all in the hands of the left. Fox itself is more Republican than conservative. The left also controls nearly all of the print media.

So I reviewed conservative options for the next Congress. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid, D-Nev., have two ways to achieve their objective, which is to pass the Fairness Doctrine. First, they can deny opponents the opportunity for an up-or-down vote (which they have done in the present Congress). They do so because they correctly fear that anti-Fairness Doctrine members would prevail. Test votes have so indicated. Second, they could wait for the Democrats to win complete control of the Federal Communications Commission and then let it reinstate the doctrine. It took President Ronald Reagan seven years to accomplish de-regulation. Rush Limbaugh launched nationally in 1988. My guess is that the Democratic leadership will not want to wait that long, lest opposition grow throughout the country.

I did not see a way out of this situation until I interviewed Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ken) on the “Right Hour” program on the Right Talk Radio Network. McConnell pointed to the record of the Supreme Court under Chief Justice John Roberts. In ruling after ruling the court is suspicious of any legislation which tries to limit political free speech and our First Amendment rights. McConnell has been the plaintiff in the most important cases before the court. He believes that with a few more rulings and McCain-Feingold Campaign Finance Reform will belong to the ashbin of history.

I had not considered the Supreme Court’s role in the Fairness Doctrine. There is little doubt that if the Fairness Doctrine is re-instated by congress it immediately will attract many free-speech lawsuits. Seldom is it that a United States Senator says anything to cheer me up. Congratulations, Mitch McConnell. You managed to just do that.

The Fairness Doctrine is nothing but censorship. In substance, a talk-show host either must advocate both sides of an issue or accord those who disagree with his or her view the opportunity to present their opposition on the talk show.

There now are reports that many prominent news figures and high-profile Democratic leaders oppose re-imposition of the doctrine. Former CBS anchor Dan Rather is reported to be opposed. Because most liberal candidates for federal office favor the doctrine it truly would be news - and most welcome news - were a significant number of them opposed to the doctrine. This especially would be meaningful with the next administration and Congress so strongly under liberal leadership.

Are these reports anywhere near accurate? Is there really a significant movement among leaders of the left and others, if any “others” there be, to oppose re-imposition? Or is some or all of the noise created to lull opponents of the Fairness Doctrine into forgetting about it so the proponents can combine their forces and ram it through?

Whichever applies, all of us who believe in free speech must continue to be vigilant. “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty . . .” and also the price of freedom of the airwaves. More than once in all my years in Washington I have seen a movement organize itself quietly and effectively and successfully. Well and good when it’s a movement for freedom or another good cause. Wrecking talk shows by curbing their free speech is censorship and danger. Let us continue our vigilance.

Paul M. Weyrich is Chairman and CEO of the Free Congress Foundation.