Thursday, August 14, 2008

FCC Commissioner Warns Fairness Doctrine Might Involve Control of Web

[HT:RT]
FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell raised that possibility after talking with bloggers at the Heritage Foundation in Washington, D.C. on August 12. McDowell spoke about a recent FCC 3-2 vote to bar Comcast from engaging in certain Internet practices - expanding the federal agency's oversight of Internet networks.[snip]

"Then, whoever is in charge of government is going to determine what is fair, under a so-called ‘Fairness Doctrine,' which won't be called that - it'll be called something else," McDowell said. "So, will Web sites, will bloggers have to give equal time or equal space on their Web site to opposing views rather than letting the marketplace of ideas determine that?"
McDowell, a 2006 Bush appointee, also told BMI the Fairness Doctrine isn't currently on the FCC's radar. But a new administration and Congress elected in 2008 might renew Fairness Doctrine efforts, but under another name...

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