McDowell: Localism Could be New Fairness Doctrine

RADIO ONLINE | , , | :am CT

Speaking at the National Religious Broadcasters Capitol Hill Media Summit on Thursday, FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell spoke on the possible return of the Fairness Doctrine. Even though the Obama Administration and Chairman Genachowski oppose reviving the doctrine, he feels that a series of new broadcast regulations, operating in tandem, could achieve the old doctrine's "viewpoint balancing."

"If, for instance, the Commission were to require stations to fill out content-prescriptive disclosure forms that hinted at the government's programming preference," said McDowell. "Then coupled that action with shorter license terms and mandated community advisory boards empowered to shape programming decisions, wouldn't we be back to where we were before 1987? Political speech control by big government is something I will always fight to prevent."

McDowell also praised religious broadcasters who in his mind have been among "the most lively experimenters and content providers on the web. I have a hunch that same spirit of innovation in advancing your mission will continue as broadband evolves."

"Some media-related concerns are timeless," he continued. "The FCC should not delay adjudicating our mountain of indecency cases because we are facing appeals. We are always facing appeals. If we held up every bit of Commission business affected by litigation, we would never decide anything. Whether you are a broadcaster or complaining consumer, I hope that you agree that acting on indecency cases is something we are paid by the American taxpayers to do."