The Blog Formerly Known As Vote '08

The leftward blog Crooks & Liars is using several examples of hateful, divisive speech overheard on talk radio to (apparently) make a case for why we need to see a return of the Fairness Doctrine.

(Read about the Fairness Doctrine’s history here.)

I have some recommendations & thoughts for both sides of this debate:

This whole debate is stupid & pointless.

1. If you find yourself offended by what you hear on the radio, who or what is stopping you from changing the channel?

2. Whatever program a radio station airs is based on conditions in the marketplace, not on an idea of ‘balance’ or ‘fairness.’ A station will more often than not keep or drop a particular radio program based on its ratings, not on the content of any particular host.

3. To those who spout this fear that the Fairness Doctrine is coming back (Mark Levin is one I hear bring this up quite a bit) or those who constantly gripe about ‘bias in the media’ - you, in my eyes, are no different or better than those who complain about the vitriol on right-wing radio.

4. Boy was this debate ever relevant, say, 20 years ago. Look around you. The internet has revolutionized what we think of as ‘media.’ Do you honestly think that the government is capable enough to pull off imposing some kind of restrictions on the internet in any remotely efficacious way? I didn’t think so.

4a. & that’s why this whole argument is so, so moot. The internet is the great equalizer. That has a far greater impact than any government attempt to regulate ‘fairness’ on the (old or new) airwaves, TV, radio or the internet. Don’t like what you hear, see or read? Start your own radio station! Think the media’s biased? Then get your own website & tell it like it is! Come on in, the water’s fine.

There is a literal mountain of issues that deserve far more attention right now. Let’s put this ‘dumb controversy to bed,’ OK?

Here’s a blog dedicated to keeping the Fairness Doctrine from returning.

FURTHER READING: Michael Medved has a piece in USA Today that challenges an entrenched conservative talk radio subculture:

“The great power of the medium involved its ability to change minds — but that requires drawing significant numbers of listeners who don’t already agree with you.

Some radio stars view media debate as a form of warfare, though the ultimate purpose of war involves the total destruction of the enemy. The most effective broadcasters in the Obama Era won’t try to destroy anybody. But we should make an impassioned effort to convince everybody.”

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