Unfair "Fairness" Surges Ahead<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
By Jan Markell
www.olivetreeviews.org
 
Gary Bauer recently said in his "End-of-Day Report" that, "For years conservatives have been painfully aware of the liberal bias in 'big media.'  On the three big networks--ABC, NBC, CBS--the bias permeates everything from news shows to entertainment programming. On cable, CNN and MSNBC are not just anti-conservative, their coverage of international issues consistently undermines the interests of our nation. But in recent years the liberal "monopoly" has been broken. Conservative talk radio has been an incredible success, while Christian radio has grown and Cable alternatives have taken off as well as Internet reading. The left-wing agenda no longer has a free-ride--it has competition."
 
That competition has the Left troubled as they continue to push for a return to the "Fairness Doctrine."  But is it fair?  Here is what it is.
 
The "Doctrine" was a federal regulation requiring broadcasters to present BOTH sides of a controversial issue.  To be frank, once a conservative program goes off air, a counter-offensive must be allowed. This would change the face of the alternative media that has brought truth to <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />America and other locations for the last twenty years. From talk radio to the Internet, truth-seekers have had a place to turn for a couple of decades. Fox News has been among the list but in the last year has turned to "tabloid TV" very likely for ratings.
 
But the TOLERANT Left appears to be ready to use its new power in Congress to launch an attack on conservative media.  "The American Spectator," a conservative magazine, quotes an aide to Nancy Pelosi saying, "Conservative radio is a huge threat and political advantage for (conservatives) and we have to find a way to limit it."  That way may be to revive to so-called "Fairness Doctrine," which would require equal time for the leftwing worldview on every conservative and Christian radio show. 
 
One of the Left's biggest targets according to "The American Spectator" is the Salem Radio Network, one of the largest Christian networks.  "Understanding the Times," my weekly program, is heard on several Salem stations across the country. To keep it simple, here's how it might work.  I could present a program and a conservative spin on it but an "alternative view" would have to be allowed to come on air and present the "other side."  The same goes for some Christian preachers and teachers such as Dr. John MacArthur or culture-oriented programs presented by Focus on the Family.
 
As conservative commentator David Limbaugh states, "The Left's goal is not balance, but to destroy conservative and Christian communications by requiring that each nano-segment of every show contain the counterbalancing liberal viewpoint."  Limbaugh concludes that many conservative/Christian-leaning programs could be dealt a mortal blow.
 
This "doctrine" is gaining momentum in America so keep the issue in prayer. God has always figured out a way to get the gospel and the truth out. Some day soon we may have to be very resourceful and creative again, particularly if the Left gets the "Fairness Doctrine" passed in this administration or the next.