BY TAYLOR MARSH
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| via American Progress report on radio Light blue represents progressive radio. When not appearing there isn’t any! |
It’s the Fairness Doctrine freak out. Again. The wingnuts are using the politics of fear, this time with radio as the instrument, which they’ve done many times before. This time it’s the Christian “right”:
Take Action: Dr. Dobson Calls on Family Advocates to Protect the
Airwaves
by Jennifer Mesko, managing editor‘There is such a danger lurking out there with regard to all of conservative
talk radio.’The time to act is now.
That’s the message Dr. James Dobson shared on today’s Focus on the Family
Action radio broadcast.
“There is such a danger lurking out there with regard to all of conservative
talk radio, including Focus on the Family,” Dr. Dobson said. “We
have reason to believe that if the Democrats continue to hold a majority in
the House and the Senate … one of the first things (they) are going
to want to do is to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine.”The so-called Fairness Doctrine was put in place in 1949 to force the nation’s
TV and radio broadcasters to make time for voices on both sides of controversial
issues. It was dropped as new technologies offered an abundance of sources
for information and viewpoints.If resurrected, Christian radio station discussing abortion likely would
have to give airtime to a pro-abortion voice like Planned Parenthood. Some
stations may choose to avoid such topics altogether.
Republicans are trying to do everything they can to inspire voters for November.
So they’re throwing everything at them. Dobson’s just the latest.
As someone who has been involved in radio for many years, either being interviewed
across it, getting on it, staying on it or trying to get back on it, there is no question that the wingnuts own
it. It’s not a monopoly but it’s close. I’m not saying the Fairness Doctrine
is the answer. But what’s in place right now isn’t working for everyone. It’s
patently biased and leans far right to further right. Something needs to be
done. That much is clear. It begins with regulation:
Our conclusion is that the gap between conservative and progressive talk
radio is the result of multiple structural problems in the U.S. regulatory
system, particularly the complete breakdown of the public trustee concept
of broadcast, the elimination of clear public interest requirements for broadcasting,
and the relaxation of ownership rules including the requirement of local participation
in management. […]Ultimately, these results suggest that increasing ownership diversity, both
in terms of the race/ethnicity and gender of owners, as well as the number
of independent local owners, will lead to more diverse programming, more choices
for listeners, and more owners who are responsive to their local communities
and serve the public interest.REPORT: The Right
Wing Domination Of Talk Radio And How To End It
So excuse me if Dobson’s whining doesn’t impress me much. Neither does Dick Morris, who has a chapter in his new book on it, which Sean Hannity is pimping on his radio show and Fox.
What’s important in the news to you today? What’s in the
news, papers, TV, blogs, radio? Share ‘em, link ‘em up if you’ve got ‘em. Open news thread.
UPDATE: One news item is that Rep. Ellison, an Obama supporter who happens to be Muslim, ran into a bit of a road block when trying to help out presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama. The fact is that Obama courting evangelicals is advantageous to the candidate. But when a Muslim legislator wanted to stand up for Obama that wasn’t seen as a plus. Religion is the problem for politicians, but Obama wants to poach evangelicals from McCain so he’s happy to wade into those waters. However, with the underground smears about Obama being a secret Muslim, the campaign is understandably concerned about the political punch a photograph without explanation can be if circulated. We all know how this works. Obama’s decision to court one religious group, while having an image problem due to propaganda with another is not an easy thing to navigate. We all know that America has an anti Muslim prejudice since 9/11. In politics this is worse. John McCain having a Muslim representative speak on his behalf wouldn’t be a problem. Obama is in a different position due to the smears already circulated. We shouldn’t pretend otherwise. Moral of this political story: religion and politics can set off fireworks. Nobody’s listening.
…Mr. Ellison believed that Mr. Obama’s message of unity resonated deeply with American Muslims. He volunteered to speak on Mr. Obama’s behalf at a mosque in Cedar Rapids, one of the nation’s oldest Muslim enclaves. But before the rally could take place, aides to Mr. Obama asked Mr. Ellison to cancel the trip because it might stir controversy. Another aide appeared at Mr. Ellison’s Washington office to explain.
…”I will never forget the quote,” Mr. Ellison said, leaning forward in his chair as he recalled the aide’s words. “He said, ‘We have a very tightly wrapped message.’ ”
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