Why won't all Dem Politicians use the Fairness Doc as a weapon?

[Democat]

Two the biggest problems we, as Democrats, face are:

1. Most Americans think the media is too liberal. This is because the right wing media tells them that they are liberal to give themselves more credibility when they defend the right wing and attack the left and center.

2. The media in the United States is extremely right wing. The media does everything it can to protect Republicans and destroy Democrats. This is not just a middle of the country problem. Look at what the media has done in California in the last few years. They are bringing down elected Democrats left and right and they supported a Republican movie star relentlessly. This is a national problem.

The solution to both problems is obvious. The Fairness Doctrine. Even though the Republicans control the government, thanks to their allies in the media, we can use the Fairness Doctrine as a weapon against them. If elected Democrats picked up this issue and promoted it every single time they were on TV, ran ads (why do Republicans always seem to be running ads, and Democrats less?), and just made it a big issue, it would be a win-win. Either we get it passed, and that helps to solve problem #2 above, or we show the American people that the Republicans are against fairness in the U.S. media and that helps with problem #1 above.

It's very simple:

If Republicans are against The Fairness Doctrine, that proves that the U.S. media is biased toward the right wing!

That is a very simple statement that every elected Democrat in the country should be shouting to anyone who will listen. Either show the people that the media is biased to the right, or pass The Fairness Doctrine. We win either way. It would be great if we could both pass it and show the American people the right wing bias of the U.S. media, but either one would be great.

Why don't elected Democrats do this? Why aren't we hearing about it every single time a Democrat opens their mouth? Fighting against Bush while being the minority party everywhere is only going to do so much right now. We need to look at the long term fight, and fixing the media problem is near the top of the list.

Doesn't it seem simple? Doesn't it seem like an issue where we can win? Will Democrats learn some strategy and go on the attack on this issue?


The only strategic reason not to do this would be if Democrats think that they can take over the media and push it to the left, or at least to the center, but who sees that happening anytime soon?

[RealDems]

1. I think this is a bad idea

As a strategic goal, it may be fine, but I think attempting to bring back the fairness doctrine is part of a disturbing trend in which Democrats stand on the sidelines and decry the level of Republican attacks without fighting back in equal measure. I'd rather see us toughen up and work to build our own media -- so that in ten years it's the Republicans crying to bring back the fairness doctrine.

[rman]

2. there's no reason why we can't do both

since it's a matter of money, "our" media will never be as strong as the RW media. so it's virtually impossible to fight back in equal measure. still dems should do what they can to get the message out.
Otoh Repubs' opposition to "equal time" is compelling evidence of their unfairness, so it can be effective to use it against them.

[itzamirakul]

5. I strongly disagree with your idea that

fighting for the fairness doctrine is a "disturbing trend in which Democrats stand on the sidelines and decry the level of Republican attacks without fighting back in equal measure."

What could be MORE upfront and attention-centered than demanding the fairness doctrine in the reporting of the news? THAT, in itself would be a sure signal of "toughness."

It is not the grassroots Dems who have to toughen up...it is the leadership of the party that has to toughen up and it will as soon as some of the fake Dems are removed from positions of power.

I think that waiting ten years to build up a credible leftwing media outlet is more like "sitting on the sidelines" than demanding the return of the fairness doctrine is "hurtful" to the Party.

BTW, welcome to DU, RealDems

Edit: for typo

[Democat]

7. Why not fight for the Fairness Doctrine now, when the media is right wing?

If we get our own media, and the Republicans still want to get rid of the Fairness Doctrine then, then let them get rid of it at that time.

For now, the American media is strongly biased toward the right wing. Even the Republicans admit the right wing bias of the media, by fighting against the Fairness Doctrine. If the Republicans believed the media was biased against them, they would be the first ones fighting for the Fairness Doctrine.

We need to learn to fight like them. The media is biased against us, it's time to fight for the Fairness Doctrine. If things change, then we can worry about getting rid of it.

Why would you consider Democrats fighting for what is right to be a "disturbing trend"? Wouldn't a more "disturbing trend" be the extreme right wing bias of the U.S. media or the extreme corruption of the Republican Party?

We should be building our own media at the same time we are fighting against the Republicans in every way possible.

Using this issue every day would help to educate the public about the right wing bias of the U.S. media.

The Republicans fighting against The Fairness Doctrine, proves that the U.S. media is biased for the Republicans and against Democrats.

[R Hickey]

3. I think its a great idea.

Democrats need to proclaim that the Republicans have tilted the playing field.

American viewers get only GOP propaganda from US news outlets, and most people aren't even aware of it. Every Democratic politician should talk about this everytime they open their mouths.

Other than the Daily Show, and PBS's one half-hour-per-week of NOW, there really aren't any shows except right-wing infomercials.

We're totally screwed by the media, and totally screwed by the GOP's rigged Diebold voting machines.

[itzamirakul]

4. I was thinking the exact same thing!

And lot and behold, the first thread I clicked on had your wonderfully worded post on the matter.

I agree wholeheartedly with your concept and I for one, am going to send your post to my senators and I suggest that everyone reading this should do the same.

Once again, we need to bombard them with suggestions as to what we want to hear them say when they are on these TV and radio talk shows. It is obvious that THEY do not consider these ideas until we show them how important such topics are to US.

We must continually hammer the media with the idea that they are truly not presenting a fair message of the news and that we will accept nothing less.

[Democat]

8. I hope that Howard Dean has a plan to take back the media!

I think Dean understands the problems with the media better than anyone - the right wing press tried to destroy him, and even now when they mention him, they usually bash him.

Hopefully Dean will have a plan for the Democratic Party to fight back. Not only do we need our own media, but we need to do something to expose the existing right wing media.

Hopefully Dean will support bringing back The Fairness Doctrine, or at least using it to expose the Republican supporting media.

[itzamirakul]

11. We need to start posting this idea on his website now...

and then continue after he takes over the DNC.

Another thing we need to do is demand that only "good speakers" be allowed to go on these talk shows. I was literally embarrassed when the new guy, Emanuael, I think his name is, of the dccc spoke recently. I know sixth-graders who could have done a better job. If these guys do not know how to talk and debate a point they should join Toastmasters or hire an acting coach or something.

[merbex]

6. Could someone explain to me why The Fairness Doctrine

was even eliminated?

I have actually said .in the past 6 weeks, that we need to bring back the Fairness Doctrine and the statement has gotten blank looks and the response"We don't have that now?"

Why have the Dems never attempted to overturn that?

[moggie12]

9. Long history apparently

Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY) has just introduced legislation. This is a petition in support of it.
http://www.fairnessdoctrine.com/

This is an article from her website that provides long history of FD:
http://www.slaughter.house.gov/HoR/Louise/Hidden+Content/salon.com+article.htm

[kentuck]

10. The best tactic is to show how the division in this country is...

directly related to the absence of the Fairness Doctrine, imo.

[BlueInRed]

12. Forget media, the "Fairness Doctrine" is how we should argue ISSUES

I think you've hit on a good idea, but it's directed at the wrong thing. We'll never sell the idea the media is biased right, although we can probably sell the idea the media isn't biased left.

I realize you're talking about a specific legal doctrine, but it's actually a good idea for an approach to arguing issues. The Fairness Doctrine is exactly how we should argue ISSUES. Most of our positions are based on principles of essential fairness. Fairness to workers, fairness in taxation, fairness in company rights vs individual rights, fairness to be free of discrimintion. Americans rally around the principle of fairness.

When the Rs argue all these horrible laws, we ought to argue, but "It's not fair to....". For example, it's not fair to Baby Boomers to have them pay in the highest percentage of their income to Social Security of any generation, only to receive the lowest benefits. It's not fair to let a corporation put out a product they know can kill and maim people, and then deny the people they harm the right to be compensated. I think all our issues can be argued on the basis of essential fairness.

I think you have hit on a great way to argue our issues, even if that wasn't your intent. :hi: