The so-called Fairness Doctrine has asserted itself into the public eye recently, some 20+ years after the Reagan administration abolished it. Seems like just another in the long line of recent bailouts. Let’s call it the Radio Bailout Doctrine. The Doctrine was introduced in the United States in 1949 and lived a fairly uneventful life on a case-by-case basis until 1967, when parts of it were incorporated into FCC regulations. In 1974, the FCC stated that though it had the power to regulate on such matters, broadcasters were complying with the spirit if the Doctrine, so no action was necessary.
The cries of “Foul!” from the other side can be traced in proportional intensity to the meteoric rise of the popularity of talk radio, which has been dominated by the conservative side of the spectrum for two decades. A “progressive” host has yet to gain nationwide traction and last longer than 20 minutes. Al Franken failed so miserably on Air America he had to run for the senate to find an audience again.
Talker Magazine just released the top ten radio talk show hosts for the year 2008. Eight of them were conservative. The only two that fell outside the conservative umbrella were Don Imus (whatever he is) at #7, and Ed Schultz (“progressive”) at #8. Other than that, it’s a veritable Who’s Who of conservatism: Limbaugh, Hannity, Savage, Schlessinger, Beck, Ingraham. Gallagher, and Boortz.
What’s more fair than letting the listening audience determine what subject matter hits the airwaves? When part of an industry can’t hack it, it’s time to – take a wild guess…
Fold up the tent?
No, silly, ask for a bailout. The radio Bailout Doctrine is on the way.
