It's become quite clear now what Obama and the Democrat's strategy was (and is) on the Fairness Doctrine - turn down the volume and deny that's what you really want, while you work to repackage it under a new name.
The "New" Fairness Doctrine?
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[3]So what name will the new version of "fairness" operate under? Diversity. Or "diversity of ownership", if you prefer.
Just last week, the Senate passed an amendment sponsored by SC Senator Jim DeMint that would prohibit the FCC from reinstituting the Fairness Doctrine [4], while at the same time approving an amendment by IL Democrat Dick Durbin that would instruct the FCC to promote policies that foster more "minority ownership" [5] in broadcasting. (Of course the House hasn't weighed in on this yet)
So what does that really mean? It means the Dems are looking for ways to move broadcast licenses from the companies that currently have them (and maybe air shows like Rush Limbaugh) to new and/or minority owned companies.
In other words, political set-asides by way of racial set-asides.
Meanwhile, Obama has nominated his new FCC head who will likely be driving this train.
You also have to keep in mind that the Fairness Doctrine was a creation of the FCC...not Congress. Which means, baring an act of Congress - signed by Obama - banning the Fairness Doctrine (and pigs fly), the FCC could bring it back at any time.
Stay alert.
The point is, don't let the smooth talk from the Obama crowd get you off the ramparts on this one. The result that they want (less conservative talk) is clear. How they will go about it is just a matter of how they think they can be successful.
And right now, it looks like "diversity" is the name of the game.
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Take Action: Click here and join the campaign to stop the Fairness Doctrine [3] and defend free speech and the free market of ideas on our airwaves.