Media content regulation in the 21st century

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MEDIA CONTENT REGULATION IN THE 21ST CENTURY

While a return to the Fairness Doctrine is unlikely, it is very likely that politicians from both the left and the right will try to extend government control over the media beyond current policies, says the Heartland Institute.

The Fairness Doctrine is a policy that previously permitted the government to oversee broadcast news coverage for "balanced views." It was abolished in 1987, however, new rules adopted or proposed by the Federal Communications Commission suggest that the agency may be poised to enforce the most intensive government oversight of broadcast programming in decades -- perhaps even in the history of the agency, says Heartland.

For example:

• The FCC voted last year to require each broadcast licensee to file quarterly "enhanced disclosure" reports -- highly detailed information regarding its programming and editorial choices.
• This information will be used by organized groups to file complaints to pressure broadcasters to air programming that the complainants prefer.
• The FCC is also formulating programming guidelines based on the enhanced disclosure reports purporting to ensure that broadcasters meet local needs.
• This "broadcast localism" effort may also require broadcasters to appoint local boards to oversee their performance and their editorial decisions.

As the FCC seeks to expand regulation of broadcast media, the traditional justification for its authority -- spectrum scarcity -- has lost credibility, and the agency's new efforts are likely to run afoul of the First Amendment, says Heartland.

Source: Robert Corn-Revere, "Media Content Regulation in the 21st Century," Heartland Institute, January 3, 2010.

http://www.ncpa.org/sub/dpd/index.ph...m_campaign=DPD