What's Wrong with a Fairness Doctrine?

The Fairness Doctrine has had a constant presence in the U.S. press lately. The little used requirement was abolished from the law books during the Nixon Administration. Many blame its abolition for the rise of far right wing partisan coverage, in the form of "shock jocks" across the airwaves.

The Fairness Doctrine demanded stations allow for counterpoints to be aired. This legislation, if implemented properly, would allow for the broadening of discussion and limiting of possible court action.

But with the Bush administration on the way out, shock jocks everywhere have been sent into a tizzy over the possible reintroduction of such legislation.

Will it happen? Probably not! But it certainly gives the right wingers a chance to hold onto their belief in free speech- that being the right to lie without repercussions, in a time of waning power.

U.S. Digital TV Giveaway

One of the biggest stories, unreported by the mainstream press, has been the giveaway of the Digital TV spectrum to the same networks that already control the media.

With Digital TV offering the possibility of hundreds of new channels across standard definition, high definition and datacasting channels, the Black Agenda Report has rightfully labelled the giveaway an "opportunity lost".

The mainstream media has decided to instead cover the rollout of digital technologies. These vested interests are hoping that availability and take up are sufficiently large enough, so their advertising and profitability questions will hopfully work themselves out.

Sadly, however, the media is probably worst at reporting on itself and its own industry, unless what they are reporting will expose their competitors. This is why the real fight for media democracy cannot expect mainstream coverage.

See the Black Agenda Report Article Here