Commissioner McDowell At The Media Institute Luncheon

Federal Communications Commission member Robert McDowell spoke at The Media Institute on Wednesday warning that re-imposition of the Fairness Doctrine could undermine the justification for existing localism and children's TV regulations, and could be used against public radio. He spoke at length about the doctrine's origins and its use by both Democrats and Republicans against their opponents. He said he did not know whether recent calls for its return would bear fruit, but felt it was a good time to talk to his audience--of media executives, lobbyists, journalists and others--about its creation, its historical abuses, and the legal difficulties involved with restoring it and trying to enforce it. The fairness doctrine, which was scrapped by the FCC in 1987, required broadcasters to air both sides of controversial issues. He suggested the doctrine could be woven into the fabric of policy initiatives with names like localism, diversity or network neutrality.