Talk-show lawmaker seeks to block Fairness Doctrine

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Rep Mike Pence (R-IN), a former talk show host and current chairman of the House Republican Conference, is seeking to prevent the Federal Communications Commission using taxpayer money to force broadcasters to offer contrasting views on the airwaves. The so-called Fairness Doctrine has not been enforced since Ronald Reagan was president. But Rep Pence is concerned that on March 6, when the stopgap measure funding the government expires, Democrats could force the controversial policy to be put back in place. Rep Pence has drafted an amendment he intends to offer this week that would continuing blocking the FCC from resuming the policy. It's unclear whether the majority will allow the amendment to be offered as part of the debate. Congress tried to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine, which was originated in 1949, in 1987 and 1991. In both of those instances Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush killed the efforts by threatening the veto the legislation.


Talk-show lawmaker seeks to block Fairness Doctrine Congress Should Ignore the Fairness Doctrine Distraction (Free Press)