Comments on: Midweek News: A Contest and an Issue That’s Important to Me

By: Lynnae

Lynnae — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 18:41:59 +0000

In the end, the fairness doctrine will hurt the people working at the radio stations, and will also hurt the small, privately owned radio stations, which are apparently not the radio stations you have the biggest beef with.

If radio stations are forced to run programming that nobody listens to, they can’t get advertisers. If they have no advertisers, they go under, putting everyday working people out of work. I know, because my husband was in radio sales for many years. We are a family that would be affected.

The radio stations don’t slant the news based on what they want people to hear. They run programming that brings in listeners, because listeners bring in advertisers, which is how they make their money. If a show gets no listeners, it gets dropped.

There are plenty of media outlets in the United States…Radio, TV, the internet. News from any viewpoint is widely available. And big companies like General Electric will survive and continue to promote whatever message they have, despite the law. Targeting one medium in the name of fairness only ends up being unfair to the people who depend on that medium to pay the bills.

By: Joe

Joe — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 18:21:19 +0000

It’s a shame that unholy toxic corporate money controls most radio stations in this country. The Broadcaster Freedom act will mean that wealthy corporations will be able to use the public airwaves to say anything they want. For example, General Electric, via it’s holding company’s radio stations, can slant the news or opinions expressed on the air towards sending your children to fight another war. Why would they do that? Because they are defensr contractors and they make money selling bombs and bullets. They don’t make money keeping your children home, eith the country at peace. The Fairness Doctrine says no matter who owns the radio stations, the total of what gets sent out on publicly owned airwaves must be representative of that public. It’s they only way to hear both sides of an issue in a country where five or six corporations own most of the radio stations.

By: Renee

Renee — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 17:37:36 +0000

I wrote my congressman, and just heard back .. The essence of his message was that no, he hasn’t signed, and that he disagreed with the withdrawing of the Fairness Doctrine to begin with, but that he’d keep my views in mind. I hope there’s better luck with the other reps who haven’t signed yet. :( Keep making the message known!

By: Some Law Student

Some Law Student — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 01:03:07 +0000

Great post on the broadcaster freedom issue! My rep is Henry Brown from SC and I made sure he’s signed it. Thanks for posting about such an important issue.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 17:11:41 +0000

I’m usually pretty on top of things but this issue somehow slipped under the radar. I think that’s what the FCC wants. I don’t think there is anything wrong with occasionally expressing your political view because it helps color your writing and you can’t take yourself out of YOUR blog.

By: Marci

Marci — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 16:30:34 +0000

Most our news in this little town comes from the little local radio station. I would hate to think that they would be saddled with any more regulatory issues than they already have. The links were helpful in my getting this done! Thanks!

By: Susan

Susan — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:40:23 +0000

Thanks for bringing this important issue to our attention, Lynnae. Something to pray about too. :)

By: BRJ

BRJ — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 23:49:26 +0000

I agree. I have sent my rep an email to hopefully get this going. Free speech rules!!! The more restrictions we put it, the less “American” we become.

By: Frugal Dad

Frugal Dad — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 20:21:57 +0000

Lynnae, thanks for bringing up this issue. While it does not have the immediate impact on my life as it does yours, I also agree that stations should be able to broadcast whatever information or genre they want to, without being required to balance the broadcast with opposing views.

The so-called “Fairness Doctrine” isn’t very fair to radio stations, particularly smaller ones who can ill-afford to balance air time with views in opposition to their listenership, sponsors, etc.

By: Corrie

Corrie — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 19:23:18 +0000

I checked on my congressman, and he already signed. But, I did go ahead and send him an e-mail thanking him for signing. Typically, my congressman agrees with me on what he votes for…but I’m sure it’s nice for him to get some support instead of only e-mails against what he’s doing :-). Thanks for reminding us about this issue.