Pros
- AM and FM frequencies are licensed to operators on behalf of the public. Therefore the public has a right to hear alternate sides of an issue.
- Conservative ideas dominate talk radio which lessens the quality of useful debate.
- Conservative talk radio is like a PAC, Political Action Committee, which can motivate its base of listeners to apply pressure to politicians for their ideas on policy and law.
- Conservative talk radio has succeeded because few companies own many stations and push their own 'conservative' agendas.
Cons
- AM and FM radio stations are unique businesses which are licensed by the government to private individuals who operate them, usually for a profit. This puts stations into the free marketplace with a few caveats, none of which stand in the way of a station operator running a station like a standard business providing products (programming) most desired.
- Conservative ideas dominate talk radio because listeners have chosen to hear that point of view.
- Nothing has stood in the way of liberal talk radio hosts or shows from competing in the radio marketplace.
- Conservative talk radio grew independently of large financial backers. The success of Rush Limbaugh was a process over time. Although now it's true a Clear Channel subsidiary syndicates Limbaugh, his program doesn't air on just Clear Channel stations.
Where It Stands
The Fairness Doctrine is still abolished.The unfortunate shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in January, 2011 - with talk radio being blamed for inciting the shooting - is turning into a call by some for a return to The Fairness Doctrine.
Rep. JIM CLYBURN (D-SC) said America needs to "rethink parameters on free speech" and called for a reinstatement of the now discontinued F.C.C. regulation for Radio and TV.
On February 26, 2009 the United States Senate voted to bar the F.C.C. from reviving the policy.
In a story from that same month foxnews.com reported "President Obama opposes any move to bring back the so-called Fairness Doctrine," according to a spokesman.
"The statement is the first definitive stance the administration has taken since an aide told an industry publication last summer that Obama opposes the doctrine -- a long-abolished policy that would require broadcasters to provide opposing viewpoints on controversial issues," said the story.
Meanwhile, some Democrats and liberals continue to call for either a reinstatement or the policy or other policies which would mirror the old one.
Republicans and conservatives continue to speak against any return to The Fairness Doctrine.
