Editing Fairness doctrine (section)

=== Support ===
In February 2005, U.S. Representative [[Louise Slaughter]] ([[U.S. Democratic Party|D]]-[[New York (state)|NY]]) and 23 co-sponsors introduced the Fairness and Accountability in Broadcasting Act (H.R. 501)<ref>[http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h109-501 H.R. 501, Fairness and Accountability in Broadcasting Act (109th Congress, 1st Session)] (full text) from GovTrack.us. Retrieved November 13, 2008.</ref> in the 1st session of the [[109th Congress]] of 2005-2007, when [[Republican Party (United States)|Republicans]] held a majority of both Houses. The bill would have shortened a station's license term from eight years to four, with the requirement that a license-holder cover important issues fairly, hold local public hearings about its coverage twice a year, and document to the FCC how it was meeting its obligations.<ref>[[Congressional Research Service]] summary of [http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h109-501&tab=summary H.R. 501--109th Congress (2005): Fairness and Accountability in Broadcasting Act], GovTrack.us (database of federal legislation). Retrieved November 13, 2008</ref> The bill was referred to committee, but progressed no further.<ref>[http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h109-501 Overview of H.R. 501 (109th Congress, 1st session)] from GovTrack.us. Retrieved November 14, 2008.</ref>

In the same Congress, Representative [[Maurice Hinchey]] (D-[[New York (state)|NY]]) introduced legislation "to restore the Fairness Doctrine". H.R. 3302, also known as the "Media Ownership Reform Act of 2005" or MORA, had 16 co-sponsors in Congress.<ref>Summary at {{cite web |url=http://www.house.gov/hinchey/issues/mora.shtml |title=Media Ownership Reform Act of 2005 |access-date=September 12, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070902141115/http://www.house.gov/hinchey/issues/mora.shtml |archive-date=September 2, 2007 |url-status=dead }} - Full text at [http://www.thomas.gov/home/gpoxmlc109/h3302_ih.xml H.R. 3302 Media Ownership Reform Act of 2005]{{Dead link|date=March 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}. Retrieved August 17, 2008.</ref>

In June 2007, Senator [[Dick Durbin|Richard Durbin]] (D-[[Illinois|Ill.]]) said, "It's time to reinstitute the Fairness Doctrine",<ref>Bolton, Alexander (June 27, 2007). [https://web.archive.org/web/20070629120833/http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/gop-preps-for-talk-radio-confrontation-2007-06-27.html "GOP preps for talk radio confrontation"]. ''[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]''. Retrieved October 27, 2008.</ref> an opinion shared by his Democratic colleague, Senator [[John Kerry]] (D-[[Massachusetts|Mass.]]).<ref>{{cite magazine| author= John Eggerton| title = Kerry Wants Fairness Doctrine Reimposed| magazine = [[Broadcasting and Cable]]| date = June 27, 2007| url = http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6456031.html| access-date = October 27, 2008 }} describing an interview on ''[[The Brian Lehrer Show]]'' on [[WNYC]] radio</ref> However, according to Marin Cogan of ''[[The New Republic]]'' in late 2008: {{cquote|Senator Durbin's press secretary says that Durbin has "no plans, no language, no nothing. He was asked in a hallway last year, he gave his personal view"{{mdash}}that the American people were served well under the doctrine{{mdash}}"and it's all been blown out of proportion."<ref>Marin Cogan, [http://www.tnr.com/politics/story.html?id=68d07041-7dbc-451d-a18a-752567145610 Bum Rush: Obama's secret plan to muzzle talk radio. Very, very secret], ''[[The New Republic]]'', December 3, 2008. Retrieved November 20, 2008</ref>}}
On June 24, 2008, U.S. Representative [[Nancy Pelosi]] (D-[[California|Calif.]]), the [[Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives|Speaker of the House]] at the time, told reporters that her fellow [[U.S. Democratic Party|Democratic]] representatives did not want to forbid reintroduction of the fairness doctrine, adding "the interest in my caucus is the reverse." When asked by John Gizzi of ''[[Human Events]]'', "Do you personally support revival of the 'Fairness Doctrine?{{'"}}, the Speaker replied "Yes".<ref>{{cite news| first = John |last= Gizzi| title = Pelosi Supports Fairness Doctrine| newspaper = [[Human Events]]| date=June 25, 2008| url =http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=27185| access-date = October 27, 2008 }}</ref>

On December 15, 2008, U.S. Representative [[Anna Eshoo]] (D-[[California|Calif.]]) told ''[[Palo Alto Daily Post|The Daily Post]]'' in [[Palo Alto, California]] that she thought it should also apply to cable and satellite broadcasters, stating:
{{cquote|I'll work on bringing it back. I still believe in it. It should and will affect everyone.<ref>{{cite web| author = San Francisco Peninsula Press Club| title = Rep. Eshoo to push for Fairness Doctrine| publisher = San Francisco Peninsula Press Club| date=December 16, 2008| url=http://sfppc.blogspot.com/2008/12/rep-eshoo-to-push-for-fairness-doctrine.html| access-date = December 15, 2008 }}</ref>}}
On February 11, 2009, Senator [[Tom Harkin]] (D-[[Iowa]]) told radio host Bill Press, "we gotta get the Fairness Doctrine back in law again." Later in response to Press's assertion that "they are just shutting down progressive talk from one city after another", Senator Harkin responded, "Exactly, and that's why we need the fair{{mdash}}that's why we need the Fairness Doctrine back."<ref>{{cite web| author = Michael Calderon| title = Sen. Harkin: 'We need the Fairness Doctrine back'| publisher = [[Politico (newspaper)|Politico]]| date=February 11, 2009| url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/michaelcalderone/0209/Sen_Harkin_We_need_the_Fairness_Doctrine_back_.html?showall| access-date = February 11, 2009 }}</ref>

Former President [[Bill Clinton]] has also shown support for the fairness doctrine. During a February 13, 2009, appearance on the Mario Solis Marich radio show, Clinton said:
{{cquote|Well, you either ought to have the Fairness Doctrine or we ought to have more balance on the other side, because essentially there's always been a lot of big money to support the right wing talk shows.}}

Clinton cited the "blatant drumbeat" against the stimulus program from conservative talk radio, suggesting that it does not reflect economic reality.<ref>{{cite magazine| author = John Eggerton| title = Bill Clinton Talks of Re-Imposing Fairness Doctrine or At Least 'More Balance' in Media| magazine = [[Broadcasting & Cable]] | date=February 13, 2009| url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/174123-Bill_Clinton_Talks_of_Re_Imposing_Fairness_Doctrine_or_At_Least_More_Balance_in_Media.php| access-date = February 13, 2009 }}</ref>

On September 19, 2019, Representative [[Tulsi Gabbard]] (D-HI) introduced H.R. 4401 Restore the Fairness Doctrine Act of 2019 in the House of Representatives, 116th Congress. Rep. Gabbard was the only sponsor. H.R. 4401 was immediately referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on the same day. It was then referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology on September 20, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Willis|first=Derek|title=H.R.4401: To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to reinstate the obligation of broadcast licensees to afford reasonable opportunity for the discussion of conflicting views on issues of public importance (commonly known as the 'Fairness Doctrine'). |url=https://projects.propublica.org/represent/bills/116/hr4401|access-date=November 19, 2020|website=ProPublica|date=August 12, 2015|language=en}}</ref>

H.R. 4401 would mandate equal media discussion of key political and social topics, requiring television and radio broadcasters to give airtime to opposing sides of issues of civic interest.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mojica|first=Adrian|date=October 24, 2019|title=Bill filed in Congress would mandate equal media attention on political or social issues|url=https://abcnews4.com/news/connect-to-congress/bill-filed-in-congress-would-mandate-equal-media-attention-on-political-or-social-issues|access-date=November 19, 2020|website=WCIV}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=GovTrack.us|date=October 22, 2019|title=Restore the Fairness Doctrine Act would require broadcasters give airtime to all sides of an issue|url=https://govtrackinsider.com/restore-the-fairness-doctrine-act-would-require-broadcasters-give-airtime-to-all-sides-of-an-issue-1f3117e20d03|access-date=November 19, 2020|website=Medium|language=en}}</ref> The summary reads: "Restore the Fairness Doctrine Act of 2019. This bill requires a broadcast radio or television licensee to provide reasonable opportunity for discussion of conflicting views on matters of public importance.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Summary of H.R. 4401: Restore the Fairness Doctrine Act of 2019|url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/116/hr4401/summary|access-date=2020-11-19|website=GovTrack.us|language=en}}</ref> The Restore the Fairness Doctrine Act would once again mandate television and radio broadcasters present both sides when discussing political or social issues, reinstituting the rule in place from 1949 to 1987&nbsp;...&nbsp;. Supporters argue that the doctrine allowed for a more robust public debate and affected positive political change as a result, rather than allowing only the loudest voices or deepest pockets to win."<ref>{{Cite journal|date=April 1, 1965|title=Summary of Bills Before 89th Congress|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ptj/45.4.373|journal=Physical Therapy|volume=45|issue=4|pages=373–376|doi=10.1093/ptj/45.4.373|issn=0031-9023|url-access=subscription}}</ref>