(Weekend Edition)
The Fairness Doctrine is radio's birther issue. It doesn't matter whether the president assures that the doctrine is not coming back or not (he did). Doubters will continue to fear the return of the dreaded doctrine until they see it officially repealed. FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell is on your side, doubters. McDowell told the Telecommunications Industry Association in Dallas that the doctrine, which the FCC concluded was unconstitutional and unenforceable back in 1987, is still on the books...
"We stumbled on this forgotten fact while researching material for this speech" says McDowell. Republicans continue to fear the return of the doctrine, which requires broadcasters both to air and to seek out opposing viewpoints on controversial issues of public importance. Multichannel News reports that McDowell wants the FCC to immediately initiate "A full and thorough review of every FCC rule, not just those that apply to telecom companies, but all rules that apply to any entity regulated by the Commission. The presumption of our review should be that a rule is not necessary unless we find compelling evidence to the contrary." ...
It's been well over 20 years since the Fairness Doctrine was used (it was abolished in 1987), but there are still some radio veterans around that remember the living nightmare it created. It's time to follow McDowell's lead and bury the doctrine - then do a thorough review of all FCC rules and regulations still in effect or on the books...
Timeline Memories:
1899] Putting pedal to metal: Jacob Erman of New York City becomes the first U.S. driver arrested for speeding. Erman exceeded the 12 MPH speed limit (5/20). At least Jacob didn't have to deal with taxi's & pedicabs...
1927] Touchdown: Charles A. Lindbergh lands his "Spirit of St. Louis" near Paris completing the first solo flight across the Atlantic (5/21)...
1932] Also winging it: Amelia Earhart takes off to fly solo across the Atlantic becoming the first woman to achieve the feat (5/20)...1939] Pan Am begins regular service from New York when a "Yankee Clipper" takes off from the harbor in Port Washington (L.I.) (5/20)...
1955] Recorded: Chess Records new artist Chuck Berry records his first single, "Ida Red". During the session Leonard Chess changes the title to "Maybelline" (5/21)...
1961] Number One: "Mother-In-Law" - Ernie K-Doe (5/22)...1966] "When A Man Loves A Woman" - Percy Sledge (5/22)...1972] "Oh Girl" - Chi-Lites (5/22)...
1977] Beatlemania breaks out: The musical "Beatlemania" opens at the Winter Garden Theater in Manhattan (5/20). Various incarnations of Beatlemania are still performing...
1979] Guilty as charged: Former San Francisco Supervisor Dan White is convicted of voluntary manslaughter in the shooting deaths of mayor George Moscone and supervisor Harvey Milk. White uses the "Twinkie" defense, claiming that junk food fueled his rampage. You can't make this stuff up (5/21)...
1992] One more for the road: Johnny Carson hosts his final "Tonight Show" with Bette Milder singing to him (5/22). Johnny started hosting the show on October 1, 1962...
1993] Curtains: "Cheers" closes its doors for the final time with 40% of the population or nearly 100 million watching at home (5/20)...
2002] Body found: The remains of Chandra Levy are found in a Washington (D.C.) park (5/22)...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday": (5/20) David Wells (48), Ron Reagan (53), Fmr. NY Gov. David Paterson (57), Comedian Dave Thomas (62), Cher (65), Joe Cocker (67) & Japanese BB great Sadaharu Oh (71)...(5/21) Lisa (Cuddy on "House") Edelstein (44), Lawrence Tero Tureaud aka Mr. T (59), Sen. Al Franken (60), Leo Sayer (63), Ronnie Isley (70) & Ara Parseghian (88)...(5/22) Naomi Campbell (41), Mike Breen (50), Bernie Taupin (61), Bernard Shaw (71), Richard Benjamin (73), Peter Nero (77), T.Boone Pickens Jr. (83), Charles Aznavour (87) & Judith Crist (89)...
Timeline Countdown: 10 days until Memorial Day, 30 days until Fathers Day, 33 days until summer & 45 days until July 4th...
