A number of prominent Democrats, in anticipation of winning the Presidency and controlling Congress at the same time, are planning to bring back the so called "Fairness Doctrine." As this doctrine operated a few decades ago, broadcasters on the radio were required to give free air time to advocates of different points of view, if they broadcasted anything controversial. The practical result was to restrict the content. The purpose in bringing back this doctrine is not fairness, nor balance, but censorship. It can truly be called the "Censorship Doctrine."

The purpose of its advocates is to destroy conservative talk radio. They will likely try to do the same thing to conservative blogs on the internet. They talk as if their concern is to assure the presentation of news and commentary from different points of view. The absurdity of that claim is immediately apparent, when we consider that the mainstream media--abc, msnbc, cbs, the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, the Washington Post, etc.--are all dominated by the political left. When Dan Rather and CBS publicized forged documents that were intended to bring disrepute on the military service of George W. Bush, it was the blogs who first exposed the fraud. It was then taken up by talk radio. Eventually CBS was forced to retract. The existance of this variety of outlets provides a healthier environment for political discussion and keeping everyone honest. Hence, the real purpose of the would be censors is to assure that only one side is presented--the left side. This is a clear assault on free speech and the first amendment.