by Nikolaus Federmann

Created on: June 30, 2007   Last Updated: January 26, 2009

Talk radio does not need to be regulated by the government, but after the SS Air One sunk, some liberals cried 'foul' and pushed for reinstatement of the Fairness Doctrine, the roots of which predate the FCC.

In 1949, the Fairness Doctrine first appeared in black and white as part of the FCC 'Report on Editorializing by Broadcast Licensees'. 20 years later the Supreme Court wrote, "We think that the fairness doctrine and its component personal attack and political editorializing regulations are a legitimate exercise of congressionally delegated authority." The doctrine is best remembered today for how it required broadcasters to present both sides of controversial issues, giving equal weight to each side - balanced talk radio.

Back when radio was the only thing in town, policies for maintaining honesty, equality and balance were important. But with the introduction of cable television, such policies were no longer needed. Because choice was no longer an issue. Add to that, the buzzing media hive of the Internet.

In 1987, the Fairness Doctrine was crushed by a 4-0 FCC vote. Since that time, conservative talk radio has grown. Presently, more than 75% of all radio talk show programming tickles conservative ears. But considering the liberal nature of television broadcasting, perhaps regulation should actually be pointed at the TV screen instead.

In 2004 liberal radio's flagship - Air America - was launched, but quickly began to take on water in 2006, when it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Not long after that, the liberals began to push for the reinstatement of the Fairness Doctrine as FCC policy.

There was a time when a few television stations could be pulled in through a roof antenna. On the radio, there were a few AM talk shows here and a few FM talk shows there. But with cable television snaking into homes across the US, and the advent of the Internet, conservatives and liberals alike have a broad range of voices, issues and controversies to chew on. For example, one can kick their feet up to watch a video on demand that covers environmental issues, while another can load the latest blog page for a conservative voice. With that in mind, why would the government need to jump in to regulate talk radio? 'Balanced talk radio' should not be an issue because of the abundance of discussion and differing viewpoints on the many media sources available to consumers.

With the continuous growth of the Internet, and newer communications technologies being introduced, the only thing talk radio can do is diminish. Unbalanced as it is, conservative programming may be the only movement that is keeping talk radio alive. Let market forces decide the fate of talk radio - leave the government out of it.

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