"As heard on the Bill Press Show on Thursday, February 5, 2009:
Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) spoke with Bill about the possible return of the Fairness Doctrine in some form.


BILL PRESS: So, is it time to bring back the Fairness Doctrine?

SENATOR DEBBIE STABENOW (D-MI): I think it’s absolutely time to pass a standard. Now, whether it’s called the Fairness Standard, whether it’s called something else — I absolutely think it’s time to be bringing accountability to the airwaves. I mean, our new president has talked rightly about accountability and transparency. You know, that we all have to step up and be responsible. And, I think in this case, there needs to be some accountability and standards put in place.

BILL PRESS: Can we count on you to push for some hearings in the United States Senate this year, to bring these owners in and hold them accountable?

SENATOR DEBBIE STABENOW (D-MI): I have already had some discussions with colleagues and, you know, I feel like that’s gonna happen. Yep."

http://billpress.com/- (Liberal talk show host). Check out this site if you want to see how whiney liberals really are about this issue.


What a coincidence... her husband Tom Athans was cofounder and is CEO of liberal radio network "Democracy Radio", "progressive","TalkUSA Radio Network", AND the VP of "Air America" now known as "Air America Media". All failures.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Athans

(Edited to add... and parton of prostitute)

you get brother! We are in for A long ride my friend.

The Fairness Doctrine conflicts with the constitution. Also Obama is already copping an attitude with Congress. "Just pass the stimulus!" is his attitude. I think Congress is beginning to see problems with 1 TRILLION in spending over their budget now!!

Typical Liberal, spend freely as long as it is someone else's money!

As long as conservative speech is banned from the radio, I don't care if the Senator is going to personally profit from it.

Banning Conservative Talk Radio is the same as censorship. I'm going to quote Hillary Clinton with her tirade on President Bush when she said "we have a right to disagree". Now if Conservatives wanted to address the Fairness Doctrine against Liberalism and to shut Hillary up and those that disagree with Conservatism, Conservatives wouldn't hear the end of it.

So why is it okay for Liberals to push for shutting down opposition to their viewpoints? Why is it that Conservatives support talk radio like "Air America" and if you have satelite radio programs like "Q", and "Left Talk" on Sirius? Because the First Amendment for Free Speech allows such opposition to take place. Want a historical example? Look at the Federalist Papers and the Anti-Federalist Papers published in the New York Times at the time of the founding of this Great Nation. We are above any other nation in this world. We are called "the Free World" for nothing. Shut down the freedom to debate and freedom to be free we are no different than any other Third World Nation under dictatorship. Is this the world you want your kids to grow up in and not have the right to free thought and to express those thoughts and to have a mind of their own? How about you? You want to be told to shut up and stand in line like a good robot? That's where we are heading.

Last question. What are Liberals so afraid of?

Although there is very little of good information on "conservative" radio, I still prefer to say that it is none of anyone's business but of those running the station.

But, we know that government hates competition...

No one is talking about banning conservative radio.

For those that are too young to remember it....this is not a new liberal concept.

When I was a kid if the local television station owner gave an editorial let's say in favor of the democratic candidate those who supported the republican candidate could have some time to present their point of view.

Much like the editorial page of a newspaper has a place where people can submit letters to the editor to present an alternative viewpoint to those of the editor.

So much, from both liberal and conservative sides I might add, of what passes for news is nothing but pundits spinning their views of the days events.

Not news!

Just spin...

Why would anyone be afraid of hearing alternative viewpoints?

Owner knows best, or if you did, you'd be an owner, but you're not, so you wouldn't know.

THis is a way now of silencing the consevative voices that haunt them. No body is afraid of hearing alternative voices, but all the liberal talk shows on radio have failed, or are failing to compete with the consevative voices. If a radio station cannot sell advertisement to support the "liberal" point of view, why should the government censor them?? And yes it would do exactly that, ban the conservative radio because nobody wants to listen to the liberal points on radio,,the liberals control the TV stations, newspapers, this is one area that they have not been able to control..

Would you at least say there is potential conflict of interest here? Does this senator and her husband have something to gain in the event this legislation passes? Uh huh. So much for Obama's new tone in Washington.

You're absolutely correct for a change, nobody is talking about banning "conservative" talk radio per se- just regulating it and creating unfair advantages for those in the industry who can't can't compete on their own merits. Affirmative action for radio.

This may or may not be a "new liberal concept" (since you omitted a source to back up this assertion). The fact remains, it's being pushed by liberals/democrats now.

"Why would anyone be afraid of hearing alternative viewpoints?"

Perhaps it's not fear, but choice? Contrary to popular belief, people have heard liberals on the radio before and have made the choice to turn them off (as indicated by their multiple failures).

In all "fairness", what is preventing the likes of "Air America Media" from purchasing/airing Rush Limbaugh (other than no money)? They're the one currently pushing this adenda, let them lead by example then. What are they afraid of? What's one little "conservative" talk show surrounded by a whole gaggle of liberal ones? Afraid they might get increased listenership? Fear of increased ad revenues? Scared of making a profit and not relying on the government for help/intervention? Afraid it be proven again that liberal talk radio is a failure?

Wouldn't it be nice if libs could just come out and call it like it is, a censorship issue...they can't beat the conservatives in talk shows, so this is there only way of trying to equal things out...

because those that listen to rush do not want to hear speeches from ariana huffington just like her supporters don't want to hear him. It's forcing networks to put people on that their base does not want to hear from. If you don't like rush, don't listen to him. it's that simple. It is effectively censorship.

It's also that liberals can't get talk radio to work. Conservatives are the only ones that can break even doing political radio. That is why it's not fair.

it's basically "If I can't do it than nobody can."

Yes. This was the idea of a democrat party and their supporters from long time age.

It's not that "if I am not allowed, then none should", which would be libertarian, but "if I am so stupid that I can't succeed, then no one else should".