Posted by
I believe on Tuesday, July 03, 2007 9:52:51 AM
Last week, in a significant victory for free speech, Congressman Mike Pence’s amendment to the
Financial Services Appropriations bill passed 309-115, prohibiting any funds coming from the Federal Communications Commission to enforce the Fairness Doctrine on radio broadcasters.
A day later, he introduced the Broadcaster Freedom Act with 111 co-sponsors to prevent any restoration of the Fairness Doctrine by the FCC.
While Pence acknowledges the importance of passing the amendment to the appropriations bill, he continues to press for a long-term solution.
Although my amendment to the Financial Services Appropriations billpassed, prohibiting any funding to the FCC for the enforcement of the Fairness Doctrine should it be resurrected, we must keep in mindthat it is only a one-year moratorium on funding. While I am pleased that 309 Members of Congress supported this short-term fix, it is my hope that they will continue to stand for freedom of speech by joining me in a long-term solution to the problem by passing the Broadcaster Freedom Act. There is nothing fair about the Fairness Doctrine.
The overwhelming passage of Pence’s amendment gives hope for the passage of his Broadcaster Freedom Act.
To re-emphasize James Gattuso’s point, Pence’s legislation redefines the question at hand.
Before: “Should regulation be imposed?”
Now: “Should regulation be allowed?”
Cross posted on RegWatch of The Heritage Foundation