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The Federal Communications Commission should forbid television broadcasters from charging for campaign ads, and we, the public, should peacefully demonstrate outside the FCC offices at 445 12th Street SW, in Washington, D.C., until it does so.
Like the water or the air, the spectrum over which broadcasters transmit their wares is a finite resource that everyone depends on, and which needs to be regulated by government to prevent chaos and hoarding. But in licensing some corporations to dominate the airwaves, Congress inevitably excluded others. I can’t start a radio broadcast from my home because it would interfere with licensed stations. Because choosing some voices over others is inherently unfair, Congress in the Radio Act of 1927 and the Communications Act of 1934 established a general requirement that broadcasters act in the “public interest, convenience and necessity.” This conception of broadcasters as public trustees has been repeatedly upheld by the Supreme Court. The FCC could easily invoke this requirement to demand that campaign commercials be aired gratis.
How the FCC Can Take the Money Out of Politics
Article Source: Truthdig- Enjoy this article? Help vote it up the 'Vine.
- Public Discussion (9)
"Save The Red Lion!"
395 U. S. 376
- 3 votes
#1 - Wed Feb 22, 2012 11:00 AM ESTNor would have I, until my interests were perked by the article you seeded, and I clicked the "public-interest,convenience and necessity" link in the story,
which led me to google 395 U. S. 376.
"Save The Read Lion" is a reference to a, Read Lion Broadcasting V FCC, verdict, which upheld the supremacy of the public right to hear both/all sides of the public political debate, over the broadcaster's free speech right.
Personally I think this is one of the most important issues we face to day - the free flow of accurate information in order to counter the, apparently inevitable, political propaganda.
- 3 votes
Even though corporations or unions or individuals have a right to free speech and to pay to have it published and distributed, that doesn't mean they have a right to buy up every last scrap of available airtime on our regulated airwaves. (I would extend the argument to our limited cable channels as well.)
I actually have been making the case since the citizen's united ruling that political ads have become as harmful as cigarette ads and we should just ban them from radio and TV, outright. I was saying this before I encountered anyone else suggest the same thing, so it feels good to actually hear others start to suggest the same thing. (I hate winding up in my own sandbox on issues.)
- 4 votes
I have long held the opinion that the right to free speech included the right to hear.
I just never knew my humble little opinion was actually supported by the body of settled case law.
Probably the result of hearing nothing but guys like Limbaugh rail against the fairness doctrine, based on "his" first amendment right. (case in point).
I don't know if an out right ban would be best, or fully enforcing the existing laws would be better ?
- 3 votes
#2 - Wed Feb 22, 2012 1:54 PM EST
The Federal Communications Commission should forbid television broadcasters from charging for campaign ads, and we, the public, should peacefully demonstrate outside the FCC offices at 445 12th Street SW, in Washington, D.C., until it does so.
But when we have 400 billionaires buying our elections, it is perfectly possible for a handful of cranks to deeply influence the outcome and then to dictate policy positions to their clients, the winning politicians. The moderating influence of the broad electorate has been vitiated. That dynamic has produced what many puzzled voters have termed the Republican “clown car” in this election season. The democratic bargain struck by the founding generation, whereby we all have a chance to influence our country’s destiny, is in danger of being undone, with unimaginable consequences. Occupy the FCC.
I think "Occupy the FCC" would be a great idea... We could make change much quicker that way than having to wait until we can get rid of the absolute idiocy of the Citizens United ruling.
- 5 votes
#3 - Wed Feb 22, 2012 8:39 PM ESTMc Spocky -
That would sure focus more, much needed light on the subject.
- 3 votes
In the words of Captain Jean-Luc Picard of Star Trek "Make is so!"
- 2 votes
#4 - Wed Feb 22, 2012 10:08 PM ESTYou're in Easy Mode. If you prefer, you can use XHTML Mode instead. |
