President Says He Would Veto Fairness-Doctrine Imposition

PRESIDENT SAYS HE WOULD VETO FAIRNESS-DOCTRINE IMPOSITION
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
In a speech to the National Religious Broadcasters in Nashville (TN), President George W. Bush said he supported a Republican move to force an up or down vote on a bill that would prevent the reimposition of the so-called Fairness Doctrine, then vowed to veto any congressional attempt to reinstate it. The president cited a congressional effort to bring back the doctrine, which required broadcasters to air both sides of controversial issues of public importance. The Federal Communications Commission threw out the doctrine in 1987. Congress tried to reinstate it, but President Ronald Reagan vetoed that bill. Some Democrats have complained about the fall of the doctrine and the rise of conservative talk radio, but Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA), chairman of the House Telecommunications & Internet Subcommittee, which oversees the FCC, has said there are no plans to reinstate it.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6540224.html
* Bush Vows to Fight Fairness Revival Efforts
http://www.tvnewsday.com/articles/2008/03/11/daily.14/
* President Bush Attends National Religious Broadcasters 2008 Convention
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/03/20080311-3.html