Emerson: FCC Abandons Fairness Doctrine

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) says the FCC will not move forward with plans to implement a so-called "Fairness Doctrine" which would require presentation from multiple points of political view on news broadcasts.

"It is textbook big government to try to dictate news coverage to millions of Americans who are perfectly capable of making their own choices. The FCC has heard a lot of negative feedback about this proposal over the last several years, and I am very relieved that they have finally acknowledged the error of their ways," Emerson said.

The Eighth District Member of Congress who chairs the Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services, Emerson included restrictions on the Fairness Doctrine in a bill earlier this year. Her legislative language would have prohibited funds for the FCC to move forward with any regulations. FCC Chairman Julius Genakowski said late last week that his agency was abandoning its plans to do so.

Emerson responded, "There is no question that the federal government has to make responsible cuts and limit its regulatory reach. The Fairness Doctrine is a classic example of overreach, waste and a dangerous presence of government in the private lives of millions of Americans."