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S. C. R. No. 4 As Introduced
As Introduced
| 128th General Assembly | | Regular Session | | 2009-2010 |
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Senators Grendell, Coughlin
Cosponsors:
Senators Schuring, Faber, Seitz, Gibbs, Cates, Wagoner, Hughes
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
| To request that the members of the United States
Congress refrain from enacting the Fairness
Doctrine into law.
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BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF OHIO
(THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING):
| WHEREAS, Prior to 1987, the United States Federal
Communications Commission had a policy known as the "Fairness
Doctrine" that required all coverage of controversial issues by a
broadcast station be balanced and fair; and |
| WHEREAS, Currently, the public relies on the judgment of
broadcast journalists and its own ability to sort out any
one-sided or distorted coverage of an issue rather than any United
States Federal Communications Commission requirement for balanced
presentation of controversial issues for broadcasting; and |
| WHEREAS, Broadcasters can and do provide substantial coverage
of controversial issues of public importance in their communities,
including contrasting viewpoints, through news, public affairs,
public service, interactive, and special programming; and |
| WHEREAS, The Fairness Doctrine has the effect of forcing
journalists to avoid coverage of controversial issues rather than
attempt to find contrasting viewpoints for every issue; and |
| WHEREAS, The Fairness Doctrine violates the First Amendment
rights of free speech and free press by prohibiting reporters from
making their own decisions about balancing stories; and |
| WHEREAS, Previous attempts by the United States Congress to
enact the Fairness Doctrine into law were vetoed by both President
Reagan and President Bush; now therefore be it |
| RESOLVED, That we, the members of the 128th General Assembly
of the State of Ohio, hereby request that the United States
Congress refrain from enacting the Fairness Doctrine into law; and
be it further |
| RESOLVED, That the Clerk of the Senate transmit duly
authenticated copies of this resolution to the President of the
United States, to the Speaker and the Clerk of the United States
House of Representatives, to the President Pro Tempore and the
Secretary of the United States Senate, to the members of the Ohio
Congressional delegation, and to the news media of Ohio. |
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