Incoming FCC Chairman: No Censorship

There was good news coming out of the Senate Commerce Committee Tuesday.  Julius Genachowski, President Obama’s choice to head the Federal Communications Committee made a strong statement that he does not favor censorship of the broadcast airwaves.  It is the most definitive and concise statement heard from the Chairman-to-be and from the Obama administration.  We welcome it.  Let’s hope the far-left backs off its call for a return of Fairness Doctrine-like regulations aimed at conservative talk radio.  I doubt they will, but at least Genachowski is on record as opposed to the Fairness Doctrine and controversial localism mandates that would censor free speech determined by the marketplace.

Genachowski made the statement in response to a question from Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas. 

Generally, the Senate hearing was a lovefest and accolades were also handed out to Robert McDowell, a Republican who has been re-nominated for another term on the commission.  McDowell has stated unequivocally that he does not favor regulations such as mandated programming advisory boards considered under localism regulations that the FCC issued for proposed rule-making in January 2008.  Let’s hope that report finds itself shredded and trashed forever. (more…)