Fairness Doctrine

I am writing to ask you to stand against any attempt by the government to dictate media content through the so-called “Fairness Doctrine.” Some members of Congress have made clear that they would like to bring back this unnecessary and unconstitutional measure that would chill speech and weaken the political dialogue in our country.

The First Amendment states clearly that Congress “shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech”—and the Framers of the Constitution knew well the temptation of government to regulate or otherwise muzzle free speech as it relates to the political life of our great country.

When President Reagan vetoed an earlier Congressional effort to bring back the Fairness Doctrine, he wisely observed, “This type of content-based regulation by the Federal Government is . . . antagonistic to the freedom of expression guaranteed by the First Amendment. . . . History has shown that the dangers of an overly timid or biased press cannot be averted through bureaucratic regulation, but only through the freedom and competition that the First Amendment sought to guarantee.”

I’m asking you to stand with freedom and the First Amendment—and vigorously oppose any and all efforts to bring back the Fairness Doctrine.

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