|
July 14, 2004
HEAR WHAT THE PEOPLE SAY!
Dear Colleague:
For many years, a federal regulation required TV and radio broadcast stations to present the different sides of an issue in a reasonably balanced way, including giving time to opposing points of view. This “Fariness Doctrine” was repealed in 1987.
But the idea lives on with American listeners and viewers!
A recent poll of likely voters shows overwhelming support for restoring rules requiring fairness and balance on the public airwaves – and this opinion is held across the political and demographic spectrum, including Republicans and conservatives:
· When asked whether television and radio stations that use the public airwaves should be required to present the sides of an issue in a reasonably balanced way – including giving time to opposing points of view – fully 77 percent say that they should, and only 17 percent say that they should not.
· Despite being told that the Fairness Doctrine was repealed during the Reagan administration, 74 percent of conservatives and 71 percent of Republicans say that television and radio stations should be required to present the sides of an issue in a reasonably balanced way.
The people are right. We urge you to support H.R.4710, The MEDIA ACT (Meaningful Expression of Democracy in America Act), to re-instate the Fairness Doctrine and bring back balanced broadcasting. Should you want to cosponsor this legislation, please contact Sherrye Henry (Slaughter office) at 5-3685 or sherrye.henry@mail.house.gov.
Sincerely Nancy Pelosi Louise M. Slaughter Member of Congress Member of Congress
|