DeMint Comments On Fairness Doctrine Vote
Friday, February 27th, 2009
Commenting on yesterday’s U.S. Senate vote approving an amendment to ban any reinstatement of the long-dormant Fairness Doctrine, amendment sponsor Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC) said, “Today’s vote slammed the front door on the so-called Fairness Doctrine and was an important victory for free speech, but the fight is far from over. Senator Dick Durbin’s (D-IL) amendment exposed Democrat’s intentions to impose radio censorship through the back door, using vague regulations dealing with media ownership. Senator Durbin’s language was so broad, it could apply to radio, television, newspapers and the Internet. All eyes are now on the FCC. If they attempt to shut down free speech indirectly, we will fight to stop them.” DeMint (pictured) called the Durbin amendment — approved in addition to DeMint’s Broadcasters Freedom Amendment — “a new threat to Talk radio and other arenas of free speech.”
Although the U.S. Senate voted 87-11 to approve an amendment to prevent the FCC from reimposing the so-called Fairness Doctrine, those familiar with the legislative process know that any such legislation still has a long way to go before becoming law. In order for the Broadcaster Freedom Act (BFA) to become law, the Voting Rights Act, to which the amendment was attached, must first pass in the Senate, then the amendment would have to survive the conference process with the U.S. House of Representatives version, something Congressman Greg Walden (R-OR) — who co-authored the Broadcaster Freedom Act in the House — says will be a considerable challenge in the Democrat-controlled chamber. Asked if he believed the BFA would also pass the House as it did the Senate Walden (pictured) replied, “Doubtful. We will try to get an amendment to the same bill, but we think the Speaker [Nancy Pelosi (D-CA] will prohibit all amendments.”
Yesterday’s Senate vote to block any return of the Fairness Doctrine prompted a number of responses from NTS MediaOnline Today readers. Veteran Talk radio programmer Brian Jennings calls Senator Dick Durbin’s amendment-to-the-amendment, “the new Fairness Doctrine in new clothes.” “They won’t enforce the old Fairness Doctrine, revoked in 1987, but they’re beginning to craft many of the principles of the doctrine in new regulations and requirements for broadcasters to require balanced programming,” says Jennings. “When the new FCC is fully seated under presumptive Chairman Julius Genachowski, look for rapid action in this regard as Democrats will have a majority on the FCC.”
Salem Radio Network VP/News and Talk Programming Tom Tradup writes, “Before we all pop the champagne corks over the U.S. Senate’s 87-11 support for Jim DeMint’s amendment to bar reimposition of the so-called Fairness Doctrine, let’s not forget Senator Dick Durbin’s parallel amendment. Durbin’s amendment passing is the equivalent of the Senate voting for the Fairness Doctrine after they voted against it. Durbin’s amendment promotes ‘diversity in media ownership’ while ensuring that the DeMint measure cannot take away FCC authority that broadcasters ‘meet their obligations to operate in the public interest.’ That’s simply code for community advisory boards, oversight by ACORN-style organizers and activists, and open-ended mischief-making that will amount to a de facto Fairness-Doctrine-on-steroids. Anyone who thinks Dick Durbin, in any way, supports Talk radio might want to re-read the tale of the Trojan Horse.”
The New York Stock Exchange has suspended trading of Citadel Broadcasting, effective March 6. The company, which has fallen below the NYSE’s listing standards over a 30-day consecutive period, is expected to begin trading on the over-the-counter market that same day under a symbol not yet determined … Premiere Radio Networks syndicated host Steve Harvey enters the “O-rena” today, guesting on Oprah to chat up his New York Times bestseller, Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man. Check your local listings, as they say … The National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation and the Broadcast Education Foundation are accepting entries from college communications students for the groups’ annual competition to create a public service announcement highlighting the importance of free speech. Click on the “Foundation” tab at 
Radio America has announced the formation of the new group to fight any possible reinstatement of the Fairness Doctrine. The Free Radio Coalition will be chaired by KOGO/San Diego-based Radio America host Roger Hedgecock with the goal of educating the public about the dangers posed to freedom of speech and the press by any return of the repealed Fairness Doctrine and by the imposition of so-called “local content requirements.” Hedgecock, who is well experienced at massing Talk radio hosts nationwide to lobby Congress at the annual “Hold Their Feet To The Fire” events of the past few years, will also help to coordinate a summit of commercial Talk radio hosts and religious broadcasters in DC to plan strategy for the coalition. “The reinstatement of the Fairness Doctrine would constitute a massive assault on our cherished First Amendment rights and should be of concern to all Americans, regardless of their political or religious persuasion,” said Hedgecock. “This coalition will provide a bulwark for defending those freedoms and I hope broadcasters all across the philosophical spectrum will support it.”
The just released January ‘09 Arbitron Portable People Meter results indicate that Americans are tuning into News and Talk stations for information and discussion on the historic events shaping our country and the world right now. In Chicago CBS Radio all-newser WBBM-AM sits atop the ratings pile in the Windy City, followed closely by Citadel News/Talker WLS-AM in the number two slot and Tribune News/Talk WGN at number three. Three News/Talk outlets holding down the top three 12+ spots! When was the last time that happened in Chicago? In New York, CBS’ all-news WINS is number three overall, with sister all-newser WCBS-AM taking the number four slot and Citadel News/Talker WABC also gaining ground to land at number seven overall. Seems that the long talked about “phantom cume” of News and Talk stations from the diary days may very well be true based on early PPM results.
CBS Radio All-News KYW/Philadelphia also clocks in at number one in the January PPM’s, posting a 6.4-7.5 jump (12+). Bonneville’s DC all-newser WTOP/Washington finished #1 12+ and 25-54 overall, and commands the #1 or #2 spot in every daypart according to VP/News and Programming Jim Farley. Over in Houston, Clear Channel News/Talk KTRH jumped 3.8-5.1 to command the number five spot in H-Town, while co-owned KFI/Los Angeles also saw it’s share increase 3.9-4.3 to capture third place in Tinseltown. CBS’ San Francisco all-newser KCBS-AM leaped 4.4-5.6 to capture first place in Bay Area PPM results, followed closely by Citadel News/Talk KGO in second place for the month. Cumulus Sports/Talker KNBR also showed nicely in PPM. landing among San Francisco’s top seven stations by posting a 3.0-3.6 gain.
Take On The Day host Dr. Laura Schlessinger has been honored by the Hawaii State Senate with a special commendation for “being a loud and powerful voice of reason, steering all who listen toward the path of love, happiness and high morals.” Meanwhile, KTTH/Seattle has added The Dr. Laura Program to the Bonneville Talk outlet’s lineup, where she’ll air nightly from 9pm-midnight beginning March 2 … National fill-in talker Doug Kellet subs today through Saturday for WLAC/Nashville host Steve Gill from 9am-noon … WEAE (1250 ESPN)/Pittsburgh has declared tomorrow (2/27) “Myron Cope Day” in the Steel City. The Sports/Talker will air special interviews with friends and colleagues of the late broadcaster all day long, along with vintage radio clips from the man who was long the voice of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the creator of the infamous “Terrible Towel” … WOR/New York is hosting its 14th annual Radiothon to benefit Variety, The Children’s Charity, hosted by legendary NYC radio personality “Cousin” Bruce Morrow through 6pm today … Arbitron has mailed Spring 2009 Station Information Profiles to all stations to be measured in the Spring ‘09 survey. Forms must be returned to the ratings service by Monday, March 2nd.
Is the future of Talk radio not on either the right or the left? That’s what 20-year veteran syndicated Talk radio host Leslie Marshall believes. “There are Republicans in favor of stem cell research and Democrats who are pro-life,” says Marshall. “I don’t think any of us are 100% in favor of one agenda or the other.” Also in the February 27th edition of NTS MediaOnline Weekly, we continue our 10-part series with consultant Holland Cooke on cheap and even free ways to create new online revenues for your station. This week learn how to unclog the bottleneck that keeps many stations from maximizing their online content updates. It’s all in the latest edition of NTS MediaOnline Weekly arriving in your inbox tomorrow morning.
