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For Immediate Release
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Representative Steve King
5th Congressional District of Iowa |
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February 11, 2009 |
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| King: Sen. Harkin Supports Media Censorship |
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| “Does Rush Limbaugh intimidate Senator Harkin so much that he wants to ration free speech?” |
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Washington, D.C.—Congressman Steve King today made the following statement in response to comments by Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) on The Bill Press Show supporting the reinstatement of the so-called “Fairness Doctrine.” A partial transcript of Harkin’s comments follows King’s statement.
“It is incredible that in today’s modern media age, where information is easily accessible in so many different forms, Tom Harkin wants to squelch your First Amendment rights in favor of Chinese-style censorship,” King said. “Does Rush Limbaugh intimidate Senator Harkin so much that he wants to ration free speech? Allowing the government, run by liberals, to control broadcast journalism and determine what on-air content is and is not ‘fair’ will stifle our free speech and hurt our free flow of information.”
TRANSCRIPT OF SENATOR HARKIN ON BILL PRESS SHOW:
SENATOR TOM HARKIN (D-IA): Well, anytime – just let me know Bill. I love being with you, and thanks again for all you do to get the truth and the facts out there. By the way, I read your Op-Ed in the Washington Post the other day. I ripped it out, I took it into my office and said ‘there you go, we gotta get the Fairness Doctrine back in law again.’
BILL PRESS: Alright, well good for you. You know, we gotta work on that, because they are just shutting down progressive talk from one city after another. All we want is, you know, some balance on the airwaves, that’s all. You know, we’re not going to take any of the conservative voices off the airwaves, but just make sure that there are a few progressives and liberals out there, right?
SENATOR TOM HARKIN (D-IA): Exactly, and that’s why we need the fair -- that’s why we need the Fairness Doctrine back.
More Information.
Background on the Fairness Doctrine:
Originally introduced in 1949, the Fairness Doctrine required radio and television stations to give equal time to conservative and liberal opinions on political issues. If stations failed to comply, they could face a penalty or have their broadcast licenses revoked. The Fairness Doctrine was eliminated in 1987.
Congressman King is a co-sponsor of the Broadcasters Freedom Act, which would keep the Federal Communications Commission from reinstituting the Fairness Doctrine.
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