H. C. R. No. 14 As Introduced

As Introduced

128th General Assembly

Regular Session

2009-2010

H. C. R. No. 14

Representative Martin

Cosponsors: Representatives Adams, J., Bubp, Combs, Huffman, Jordan, Mecklenborg, Stautberg, Wagner

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

To request that the members of the United States 1
Congress refrain from enacting the Fairness 2
Doctrine into law. 3

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF OHIO
(THE SENATE CONCURRING):

       WHEREAS, Prior to 1987, the United States Federal 4
Communications Commission had a policy known as the "Fairness 5
Doctrine" that required all coverage of controversial issues by a 6
broadcast station be balanced and fair; and 7

       WHEREAS, Currently, the public relies on the judgment of 8
broadcast journalists and its own ability to sort out any 9
one-sided or distorted coverage of an issue rather than any United 10
States Federal Communications Commission requirement for balanced 11
presentation of controversial issues for broadcasting; and 12

       WHEREAS, Broadcasters can and do provide substantial coverage 13
of controversial issues of public importance in their communities, 14
including contrasting viewpoints, through news, public affairs, 15
public service, interactive, and special programming; and 16

       WHEREAS, The Fairness Doctrine has the effect of forcing 17
journalists to avoid coverage of controversial issues rather than 18
attempt to find contrasting viewpoints for every issue; and 19

       WHEREAS, The Fairness Doctrine violates the First Amendment 20
rights of free speech and free press by prohibiting reporters from 21
making their own decisions about balancing stories; and 22

       WHEREAS, Previous attempts by the United States Congress to 23
enact the Fairness Doctrine into law were vetoed by both President 24
Reagan and President Bush; now therefore be it 25

       RESOLVED, That we, the members of the 128th General Assembly 26
of the State of Ohio, hereby request that the United States 27
Congress refrain from enacting the Fairness Doctrine into law; and 28
be it further 29

       RESOLVED, That the Clerk of the House of Representatives 30
transmit duly authenticated copies of this resolution to the 31
President of the United States, to the Speaker and the Clerk of 32
the United States House of Representatives, to the President Pro 33
Tempore and the Secretary of the United States Senate, to the 34
members of the Ohio Congressional delegation, and to the news 35
media of Ohio. 36

WHEREAS, Prior to 1987, the United States Federal	4
Communications Commission had a policy known as the "Fairness	5
Doctrine" that required all coverage of controversial issues by a	6
broadcast station be balanced and fair; and	7

WHEREAS, Currently, the public relies on the judgment of	8
broadcast journalists and its own ability to sort out any	9
one-sided or distorted coverage of an issue rather than any United	10
States Federal Communications Commission requirement for balanced	11
presentation of controversial issues for broadcasting; and	12

WHEREAS, Broadcasters can and do provide substantial coverage	13
of controversial issues of public importance in their communities,	14
including contrasting viewpoints, through news, public affairs,	15
public service, interactive, and special programming; and	16

WHEREAS, The Fairness Doctrine has the effect of forcing	17
journalists to avoid coverage of controversial issues rather than	18
attempt to find contrasting viewpoints for every issue; and	19

WHEREAS, The Fairness Doctrine violates the First Amendment	20
rights of free speech and free press by prohibiting reporters from	21
making their own decisions about balancing stories; and	22

WHEREAS, Previous attempts by the United States Congress to	23
enact the Fairness Doctrine into law were vetoed by both President	24
Reagan and President Bush; now therefore be it	25

RESOLVED, That we, the members of the 128th General Assembly	26
of the State of Ohio, hereby request that the United States	27
Congress refrain from enacting the Fairness Doctrine into law; and	28
be it further	29

RESOLVED, That the Clerk of the House of Representatives	30
transmit duly authenticated copies of this resolution to the	31
President of the United States, to the Speaker and the Clerk of	32
the United States House of Representatives, to the President Pro	33
Tempore and the Secretary of the United States Senate, to the	34
members of the Ohio Congressional delegation, and to the news	35
media of Ohio.	36