Press Release
Senate Passes Fairness Doctrine Ban
Contact: Timothy Karr, 201-533-8838
WASHINGTON -- The Senate voted to ban the reinstatement of the Fairness Doctrine, a long-defunct broadcasting regulation that was taken off the books in 1987, by adopting two amendments to the D.C. House Voting Rights Act.
The amendment sponsored by Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) would not only ban the Fairness Doctrine, but it would also prohibit the Federal Communications Commission from encouraging broadcasters to air local news and information, children's programming and public safety alerts. The amendment offered by Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) refocuses the DeMint amendment on the narrow issue of the Fairness Doctrine ban and reaffirms existing law that directs the FCC to promote diversity of media ownership.
Josh Silver, executive director of Free Press, issued the following statement:
"We applaud Senator Durbin for rejecting the Fairness Doctrine hysterics and reaffirming that all Americans benefit when there is diverse media ownership."
Read The Fairness Doctrine Distraction: http://www.freepress.net/files/fp-FairnessDoctrine.pdf
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Free Press is a national, nonpartisan organization working to reform the media. Through education, organizing and advocacy, we promote diverse and independent media ownership, strong public media, and universal access to communications. Learn more at www.freepress.net
The amendment sponsored by Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) would not only ban the Fairness Doctrine, but it would also prohibit the Federal Communications Commission from encouraging broadcasters to air local news and information, children's programming and public safety alerts. The amendment offered by Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) refocuses the DeMint amendment on the narrow issue of the Fairness Doctrine ban and reaffirms existing law that directs the FCC to promote diversity of media ownership.
Josh Silver, executive director of Free Press, issued the following statement:
"We applaud Senator Durbin for rejecting the Fairness Doctrine hysterics and reaffirming that all Americans benefit when there is diverse media ownership."
Read The Fairness Doctrine Distraction: http://www.freepress.net/files/fp-FairnessDoctrine.pdf
###
Free Press is a national, nonpartisan organization working to reform the media. Through education, organizing and advocacy, we promote diverse and independent media ownership, strong public media, and universal access to communications. Learn more at www.freepress.net
