Is the Media ‘Fairness Doctrine’ Fair?

Is the Media ‘Fairness Doctrine’ Fair?

Can our government ensure balance in viewpoints better than the media market?


COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – David Rehr, Ph.D., the former president and CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters and a 1981 graduate of Saint John’s University, speaks on “Is the Media ‘Fairness Doctrine’ Fair?” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6 at the Alumni Lounge, Quadrangle Building, Saint John’s University.
His appearance, sponsored by The Eugene J. McCarthy Center for Public Policy and Civic Engagement at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University, is free and open to the public.
The Fairness Doctrine was a policy of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission introduced in 1949 that required the holders of broadcast licenses to present controversial issues of public importance and to do so in a manner that was (in the FCC’s view) honest, equitable and balanced. In 1987, the FCC abolished the Fairness Doctrine.
No legislation has been introduced in the current Congress to reintroduce the doctrine. But prominent legislative leaders and former Presidents have called for its reinstatement. It could also be reinstated by a simple majority vote of the five members of the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) or through other FCC regulatory orders.
Rehr will review the history of the doctrine and argue that the federal government should not regulate media fairness or balance. “It was a mistake to ever institute the doctrine and we must prevent any attempt, directly or indirectly, to regulate speech under the guise of balance.” Rehr contends. Dr. Rehr will argue that in the past both Republicans and Democrats have used the doctrine to suppress their opponents speech.
Any FCC regulation or law which has the outcome of restricting political speech must be opposed by the citizenry with vigor.
Rehr will make the positive case that technology and market competition is generating a better informed electorate than ever before in the history of the nation.
Rehr earned a bachelor of science degree from SJU in business administration, and went on to earn master’s and doctorate degrees in economics from George Mason University. He has served as a member of the SJU Board of Regents since 2007.
Prior to joining the National Association of Broadcasters in December 2005, Rehr worked as the president of the National Beer Wholesalers Association and as a chief lobbyist to the U.S. House of Representatives for the National Federation of Independent Business. Rehr has been ranked by Beacham’s Guide to Key Lobbyists as one of the 125 most influential lobbyists in Washington, D.C., was listed in Washington Life magazine’s “Power 100” list in 2007 and was annually listed as a “Top Association Lobbyist” by The Hill publication.