Unconscionable Power Grab

Under the proposed FCC Localism Doctrine,part of the government threat is that some speakers will be kept from appearing on television stations if the FCC or members of the local control board at the station do not approve of them or their message. In the past, government administrations did in fact prevent speakers from appearing on television stations under the old Fairness Doctrine because of their opposition or dissenting views. In 1987 the FCC found this to be true and revoked the Fairness Doctrine. The reviewing Court agreed.

The Commission also found that “the fear of governmental sanction resulting from the doctrine creates a climate of timidity and fear, which deters the coverage of controversial issue programming.” And in particular, the Commission found that the old doctrine provided a “dangerous vehicle” for the “intimidation of broadcasters who criticize governmental policy.”

Despite this experience and these findings, some in government would now apparently reimpose such a doctrine on broadcast stations for their own political purposes.

The viewing public should ask the Congress to prevent this unconscionable power grab.