'Hush Rush bill' – gone, not forgotten
this is another atempt to controll information.
Fairness Doctrine viewed as major issue in 2008, law of land with Dem president
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Posted: July 5, 2007
1:00 a.m. Eastern
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com
WASHINGTON – When the House of Representatives voted 309-115 to deny federal funds to implement the Fairness Doctrine, it was seen by some as a stake through the heart of efforts to revive rules requiring broadcasters to provide balance in all views expressed on the air.
However, the enthusiasm expressed for reviving the discarded regulation by Democratic Party leadership, and even some Republicans in the wake of the Senate battle over immigration, almost assure the issue will be resurrected as a campaign issue next year and as a legislative certainty in 2009 should Democrats remain in control of Congress and capture the White House.
Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., a former radio talk-show host, led the charge last week to stop the Federal Communications Commission from reinstating the Fairness Doctrine for broadcasters – sometimes referred to as "the Hush Rush bill," because of its preoccupation with conservative talk radio as epitomized by nationally syndicated stars Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Michael Savage and Laura Ingraham.
The House voted overwhelmingly to prohibit federal funds from being used by the FCC to impose the Fairness Doctrine, which requires broadcasters to balance comment on controversial issues.
"The House affirmed that freedom will continue to reign on the airwaves," said Pence, who filed the amendment stopping federal funding and introduced another bill to prevent permanently the doctrine from being imposed. "This was a resounding victory for free speech."
But the measure only prohibits funds from being used for this purpose through 2008. Since it was unlikely President Bush would sign such a bill into law, the threat of implementation prior to 2008 was minimal at best.
The road to implementation in 2009 and beyond, however, remains wide open. Some observers see it as virtually inevitable.
"Unless broadcasters take steps to voluntarily balance their programming, they can expect a return of fairness rules if Democrats keep control of Congress and win the White House next year." said Craig Crawford of Congressional Quarterly, a news analyst for NBC, MSNBC and CNBC.
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