Today, the U.S. Senate adopted two seemingly-conflicting amendments related to the Fairness Doctrine (an FCC policy that mandated fairness on the airwaves from 1949 to 1987). One amendment called the “Broadcaster Freedom Act,” which was offered by Republican Sen. Jim DeMint and passed 87-11, would basically block the FCC from reinstating the Fairness Doctrine. Another amendment, which was offered by Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin and passed 57-41, says the FCC “shall take action to encourage and promote diversity in communication media ownership,” and would basically bring back the goals of the Doctrine without reinstating it.

I don’t know how to feel about mandated fairness on the airwaves. Like the Senate, I seem to be conflicted on the issue- I like the idea of requiring more local programming but I don’t like being told what to say. All good broadcasters are already trained to seek a balance and diversity of viewpoints as a matter of self-preservation. To do anything less would be a disservice to the democracy that gives us the freedom to broadcast in the first place. But should broadcasters have sanctions hanging over their heads if they fail to provide a balance of views?