Fairness doctrine worked OK
Regarding George Trout's writings on Sept. 9 about the so called "fairness doctrine," we used to have a fairness doctrine in broadcasting and as I recall it worked OK. At least it shut up that dope who used to have the Red Lion radio station and his pal, the Rev. Carl McIntyre.
What's wrong with saying that if a talk show host attacks a candidate on the air, that person has to give the candidate the opportunity to respond if they choose to? Who knows, it might even make some of the "winger talk shows" a little less boring.
John Loeper
Waynesburg
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It's rather significant that the network which calls itself "fair and balanced" routinely has its talking heads shout down the guest speaker or cut off the microphone when someone with a legitimate, valid, sensible viewpoint makes the mistake of appearing on their shows to represent the opposite point of view.
That's the conservative version of the "fairness doctrine".
The problem with any type of fairness doctrine is that it violates our right to free speech and freedom of the press. The government cannot say that radio must present both sides of an issue without saying that television and newspapers and magazines must also give both sides of every controversy.
I think the most absurd regulation is about candidates being given equal time on television. This policy applies to Fred Thompson and his fictional TV show, but not to personal interviews. That makes no sense!