Troubling Fairness Doctrine Back in Spotlight
Efforts to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine are back in the spotlight again as hearings take place this week in Congress on a new Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission.
The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee will hold a hearing for the purpose of considering the nomination of Julius Genachowski to the post of Chairman of the FCC. Julius Genachowskis association with President Obama dates back to his time at Harvard Law, where he was an editor of the Harvard Law Review under the guidance of Obama. More recently, Genachowski worked for the Obama presidential campaign as Chairman of the Technology, Media and Telecommunications policy working group.
Were calling for aggressive questioning of Genachowski - asking him tough questions about where he stands on bringing back the so-called Fairness Doctrine, or related issues that could censor Christian broadcasters. Not long ago you may remember the comments from White House Senior Advisor David Axelrod who refused to rule out the possibility that the Fairness Doctrine or something like it would make a comeback. In an interview with one of the Sunday news programs just a few months ago, he said he would leave that issue to incoming FCC Commissioner Julius Genachowski to discuss with President Obama.
There are those in Congress who would like to bring back this troubling measure or something like it. In our analysis, such a move would not only be troubling, but an unconstitutional attempt to stifle free speech.
Thats why we are focusing once again on passage of the Broadcaster Freedom Act -- legislation that will prohibit the reimplementation of the Fairness Doctrine. The fact is a return to the Fairness Doctrine would stifle Christian speech -- and have a dramatic effect on programs like Jay Sekulow Live! Don't be fooled by semantics. Whether they call this dangerous regulatory action the Fairness Doctrine or something else, its a problem. And thats why its so important for you to sign on to our petition of support for passage of the Broadcaster Freedom Act. Add your name to our petition right now.