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In reply to the discussion: Why is Fox News Allowed To Spread Falsehoods? Seriously, where is the FCC? [View all]
onenote
(46,147 posts)48. It never applied to cable and it would be struck down by the court immediately if there was any attempt to do so.
The distinction between the status of broadcasting and cable for purposes of the first amendment -- and between broadcasting and the internet for that matter -- is well-established.
Plus, as stated, it was pretty toothless. In particular, who would present a contrary view on controversial issues was always up to the station and would be up to Faux News if the rule was reinstated and appleid to them. Do you remember the late Alan Colmes? He was the liberal "voice" on Faux News for years. I don't think folks thought he was particularly effective. Heck, there are folks who think many of the MSNBC commentators aren't effective, but Faux News could hire one of them and make them the counterpoint voice to satisfy their "obligation" to present opposing views on controversial issues.
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Why is Fox News Allowed To Spread Falsehoods? Seriously, where is the FCC? [View all]
Joinfortmill
Jun 2024
OP
If that was true, why do you suppose such a lawsuit has not been filed and then won?
tritsofme
Jun 2024
#20
So far as I know, there have been no legal attempts to make them scrub "News" from their title
Attilatheblond
Jun 2024
#21
The FD is not what you think it was as explained by onenote many times here on DU over the years.
MarineCombatEngineer
Jun 2024
#67
BTW, did you know that I can pick up a camera and claim I'm an independent news journalist
MarineCombatEngineer
Jun 2024
#55
I'm not Pres. Obama either, but that's a valid point as to why he didn't direct the FCC to examine the issue.
MarineCombatEngineer
Jun 2024
#86
That's not relevant to the FCC as it's still cable, whatever the content is.
themaguffin
Jun 2024
#90
Because the First Amendment. Thankfully it protects us all from authoritarians promoting government censorship.
tritsofme
Jun 2024
#2
Ah yes, an incredibly poor analogy that is of course the favorite of speech restrictionists and authoritarians.
tritsofme
Jun 2024
#11
I'm not too keen on the argument that we have to destroy the Constitution in order to save it.
tritsofme
Jun 2024
#91
That reminds me: it's time to turn off DU and start scrubbing the kitchen floor. NT
mahatmakanejeeves
Jun 2024
#7
I'm getting more and more of those same feelings here at DU lately. Let's tell more of our storys and....
usaf-vet
Jun 2024
#10
This is a stupid story and it only gives DJT more screen time. These two points should have been the focus of the story.
usaf-vet
Jun 2024
#8
Article written by three recent law school graduates who should be given a failing grade.
onenote
Jun 2024
#13
Why can't we just have a simple law that everything I like is protected and everything I don't is banned?
brooklynite
Jun 2024
#19
Yeah, let's give the FCC the power to determine what's real or fake news.
MarineCombatEngineer
Jun 2024
#35
The Fairness Doctrine was overrated and was destined to be ruled unconstitutional.
onenote
Jun 2024
#38
It never applied to cable and it would be struck down by the court immediately if there was any attempt to do so.
onenote
Jun 2024
#48
i've been working in the cable industry since 1981. The FD was struck down in 1987.
onenote
Jun 2024
#60
Cable is privately owned and operated, therefore the govt cannot regulate what can and cannot
MarineCombatEngineer
Jun 2024
#81
I hope you're not suggesting that the internet should be subject to a fairness doctrine or content regulation.
onenote
Jun 2024
#98
Cable operators sell internet access. But most of their subscribers get broadcast stations via cable, not internet.
onenote
Jun 2024
#116
I've worked in the cable industry for 40 years. You are mistaken about the technology.
onenote
Jun 2024
#118
There are those who would argue that the first amendment did suffer under the FD
onenote
Jun 2024
#97
They could certainly seek to promulgate the sort of speech restrictionist policies you seem to prefer.
tritsofme
Jun 2024
#103
That's exactly right. The First Amendment protects us from those with the authoritarian urge to impose government
tritsofme
Jun 2024
#108
they are careful how they phrase lie, talk radio too: "some are saying that Biden has a tail".
BlueWaveNeverEnd
Jun 2024
#122