Dimitri Vassilaros makes the case against the misnamed "Fairness Doctrine" in this Tribune-Review (Pittsburgh) editorial page column. Indeed, he insists that broadcasters and journalists of whatever political persuasion (if they care at all about freedom and real fairness) must start to speak up while they still can.Among his action points are to call the thing by a truer name (the "Gag Rule," the "Hush Rush" bill, the "Unfairness Doctrine") and to be proactive in exposing the coercive censorship behind it.
...The broadcast industry can sit back and hope that it's an empty threat or it can be proactive to ensure that the public will not stand for the effective silencing of free speech. Tens of thousands of calls by outraged listeners and viewers to congressional offices can cause any potential censor in Congress to keep censorship on hold.
Broadcast stations, hosts and consultants could join and start a campaign now -- with its own Web site, slogan, jargon ("The Gag Rule"), recorded spots, news releases and a will to win -- demanding that talk shows and, of course, the First Amendment not be silenced...
