Censorship
There's a big battle brewing over Talk Radio. Liberals want to shut down talk shows such as Hannity, Limbaugh, Imus, Savage, Boortz, O'Reilly, Beck and dozens if not hundreds of others. Why are they doing this? They know that millions of voters listen to these shows and take what they say to heart. These are conservative talk show hosts who are giving you the side that Liberals don't want you to hear.
Well, why don't Liberals have their own talk shows? They tried that. Ever hear of Air America? It was a big thing a couple of years ago and had big Liberal names with their own talk shows giving their opinions about conservative politicians and causes. If you haven't heard, Air America bit the dust, they couldn't keep listeners even in venues such as New York, Boston, Seattle, LA and elsewhere. If you can't get and keep listeners, you can't pay the bills and even the talking heads need to be paid. A few stayed on the air without pay to keep Air America going. I don't know what their finances are now, but Air America is still on the air. A few of the hosts I've heard of, most I haven't. But then, I don't listen to Liberals. I don't listen to Conservatives who continually bash Liberals. I don't listen to anything I consider toxic.
So, what's the problem? It's censorship. Liberals can't get their message out to enough people, and they know that Conservative Talk Radio can, so they want to shut them down. They will use the Fairness Doctrine that will require Talk Radio hosts to present a divergent point of view.
What's wrong with that? Well, I can see one problem. Hypothetical Conservative Talk Show host John Smith wants to discuss illegal immigration. His opinion is that the Federal Government isn't doing enough to stop it. In order to discuss illegal immigration he would have to have someone in favor of open borders. Maybe he can't find anyone (someone who is reputable and knowledgeable about the subject) to come on his show. He can't discuss it. Another problem is that he does get someone to come on his show. The guest takes over the show and makes a mockery of the host, the show, and everyone who believes that immigrants should come here legally. Don't think that can't happen, I've heard it.
Station managers are leery of the Fairness Doctrine because they are concerned it could put the station and station talent in jeopardy of civil and Federal lawsuits. The scenarios I presented above are possible; there are others. I'm sure you can think of some yourself.
In any case, this is censorship. I would not support it if it were Liberals being silenced. It's not right and we have to make sure it doesn't happen. There are many forms of censorship and we have to be on the lookout for it. It can be made to look understandable; even appealing. We must remember: once censorship rears it's ugly head, it will be impossible to stop.
One more thing to think about: who is being censored? Is it you? Is it me? Is it someone else? Why should you care if it's someone else
It might be you tomorrow.
Well, why don't Liberals have their own talk shows? They tried that. Ever hear of Air America? It was a big thing a couple of years ago and had big Liberal names with their own talk shows giving their opinions about conservative politicians and causes. If you haven't heard, Air America bit the dust, they couldn't keep listeners even in venues such as New York, Boston, Seattle, LA and elsewhere. If you can't get and keep listeners, you can't pay the bills and even the talking heads need to be paid. A few stayed on the air without pay to keep Air America going. I don't know what their finances are now, but Air America is still on the air. A few of the hosts I've heard of, most I haven't. But then, I don't listen to Liberals. I don't listen to Conservatives who continually bash Liberals. I don't listen to anything I consider toxic.
So, what's the problem? It's censorship. Liberals can't get their message out to enough people, and they know that Conservative Talk Radio can, so they want to shut them down. They will use the Fairness Doctrine that will require Talk Radio hosts to present a divergent point of view.
What's wrong with that? Well, I can see one problem. Hypothetical Conservative Talk Show host John Smith wants to discuss illegal immigration. His opinion is that the Federal Government isn't doing enough to stop it. In order to discuss illegal immigration he would have to have someone in favor of open borders. Maybe he can't find anyone (someone who is reputable and knowledgeable about the subject) to come on his show. He can't discuss it. Another problem is that he does get someone to come on his show. The guest takes over the show and makes a mockery of the host, the show, and everyone who believes that immigrants should come here legally. Don't think that can't happen, I've heard it.
Station managers are leery of the Fairness Doctrine because they are concerned it could put the station and station talent in jeopardy of civil and Federal lawsuits. The scenarios I presented above are possible; there are others. I'm sure you can think of some yourself.
In any case, this is censorship. I would not support it if it were Liberals being silenced. It's not right and we have to make sure it doesn't happen. There are many forms of censorship and we have to be on the lookout for it. It can be made to look understandable; even appealing. We must remember: once censorship rears it's ugly head, it will be impossible to stop.
One more thing to think about: who is being censored? Is it you? Is it me? Is it someone else? Why should you care if it's someone else
It might be you tomorrow.
2 comments:
Perhaps you should come out of your little corner once in a while and check your facts. Air America has been broadacasting continuously every day since its inception and it is broadcasting right now.
Endor, thank you for your comment, but perhaps you should go back and read it again. I quote:
"I don't know what their finances are now, but Air America is still on the air."
What facts do I need to check?
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