WASHINGTON – A group of liberal representatives, led by Reps. Louise Slaughter (D-NY) and Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) has introduced legislation to re-instate the so-called “Fairness Doctrine,” an antiquated rule that would destroy conservative talk. 

The Fairness Doctrine, eliminated in 1987 by President Reagan’s FCC, required broadcast stations to provide equal time to opposing viewpoints on political talk shows, and a reinstatement could mean the end of popular talk show hosts such as Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and G. Gordon Liddy. 

H.R. 501, the “Fairness and Accountability in Broadcasting Act,” would require broadcasting stations “[take] into account diverse interests and viewpoints of the local community,” and require stations to hold hearings and file written reports to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proving that the station is representing “diverse interests and viewpoints.”   

“The elimination of the Fairness Doctrine and deregulation in general led to an explosion of conservative voices,” said Tom Readmond, executive director of the Media Freedom Project.  “The liberals know this, and rather than compete in the market, they’d rather silence conservative talk through government regulation.”

Several liberal congressmen, including socialist Rep. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), attempted to re-instate the Fairness Doctrine in 2003 and 2004, but failed after Congress was flooded with phone calls and e-mails opposing the bill.