House blocks Fairness Doctrine revival

WASHINGTON, June 29 (UPI) -- The U.S. House of Representatives barred use of tax dollars to force broadcasters of conservative content to air a liberal view through the Fairness Doctrine.

Lawmakers, on a 309-to-115 vote Thursday, amended the Financial Services and General Government appropriations bill to prohibit the Federal Communications Commission from requiring broadcasters to balance conservative and liberal programming, The Hill, a Washington newspaper, reported Friday.

Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill., earlier said government should revive the Fairness Doctrine, a 1929 policy that required broadcasters to present different political viewpoints.

"I have this old-fashioned attitude that when Americans hear both sides of the story, they're in a better position to make a decision," he said.

In 1985 the FCC tossed the policy after deciding it restricted journalistic freedom and could "actually inhibit the presentation of controversial issues," a Congressional Research Service report said.

Amendment sponsor Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., a former radio host, said, "This House will say what some in the other body are not saying, that we believe in freedom on the airwaves."

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., chairwoman of the Senate Rules Committee, said she would review constitutional and legal issues involved in re-establishing the doctrine.