On May 19, The Hill reported that numerous lawmakers were urging the Treasury department to “prop up” struggling minority-owned broadcasters. House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.), House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank (D-Mass.) and Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.), claim that minority-owned broadcasters have “sound businesses, but that the recession could undermine the government’s efforts to diversify the airwaves.” Members of the Congressional Black Caucus signed the letter as well.
The First Amendment dictates that we have freedom of speech. This means the government cannot step in when it feels appropriate and tell us what we can and cannot say, as long as we are not having a direct negative effect on other people (yelling “fire” in a theater, threatening someone, etc.). The aforementioned representatives have essentially said that some speech is more important than others, which is not something the government should be doing. Freedom of speech is not dictated by race, sex, height, weight etc. To try and make it as such is to step well over the boundaries of government.
6 responses so far
1 ottovbvs // Jun 2, 2009 at 6:54 am
Just reinstitute the fairness doctrine….it would be much cheaper.
2 sinz54 // Jun 2, 2009 at 8:13 am
ottovbs: In today’s media climate, the “fairness doctrine” would simply be a way to give the Left a media platform it could never win in the free marketplace.
As proof, look at all the attempts by Air America and their ilk to try to create a left-wing alternative to talk radio. It always flops. Olbermann is their one and only mega-success story.
Besides, the Internet has made any notion of a “fairness doctrine” obsolete. Most TV and radio stations have their own websites, where young people get to watch videos. Broadcast TV is dying–look at the Nielsen ratings, they are in long-term decline.
The free market, complete with Nielsen and Arbitron ratings, is the fairest way to decide air time. If viewers don’t like right-wing media, they don’t have to watch it. If the ratings decline, the shows will be canceled–as Dr. Laura’s TV show was some years ago.
3 Bulldoglover100 // Jun 2, 2009 at 9:33 am
…but perhaps you are Dustin, dicated by race that is? I noticed you mentioned the Black Caucus LOL Your very article suggest your dictated by a problem with race.
As for the airwaves? I HOPE that the radio station that carries Limbaugh fails. I HOPE Fox news fails. If that were to happen? We MIGHT get our party back before those nut jobs tell more lies that only makes us looks more stupid than we already look. Those blowhards are into making money off the back of the GOP and we stand by and let them lie and lie and lie to incite those too stupid in our party to actually find the facts and deal with them….but you Dustin? truly are sickening in your racial over tones disguised as “opinion”.
4 Brutus1776 // Jun 2, 2009 at 5:00 pm
Calling one a ‘racist’ is quite a charge to levy against an individual. I guess, Dustin, we were supposed to just skip the part where you mention who signed the letter. Or also, your pointing out this letter is beyond affirmative action de facto.
I think we are obligated to call you homophobic, as you mentioned Re. Frank as well. Surely, we cannot leave anyone out when launching ad hominem attacks! Such is the price of equality (sarcasm). Where is my friend Bparker and his facial expressions and *shrugs*
5 The Congressional Black Caucus Is Out Of Touch | thelobbyist // Dec 16, 2009 at 10:32 am
[...] bailout money to a bank she and her husband had a financial interest in. And who can forget efforts by members of the CBC- and ally Barney Frank (D-MA), chairman of the House Financial Services Committee- to get a bailout [...]
6 race42008.com » Blog Archive » The Congressional Black Caucus Is Out Of Touch // Dec 16, 2009 at 10:42 am
[...] bailout money to a bank she and her husband had a financial interest in. And who can forget efforts by members of the CBC- and ally Barney Frank (D-MA), chairman of the House Financial Services Committee- to get a bailout [...]
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