WASHINGTON, DC—U.S. Congressman Mike Pence released the following statement after five more Members of Congress signed the Discharge Petition for Broadcast Freedom to force an up-or-down vote on H.R. 2905, the “Broadcaster Freedom Act,” which would prohibit the Federal Communications Commission from reinstating the so-called Fairness Doctrine.Emphasis added...
“Bringing back the Fairness Doctrine would amount to government control over political views expressed on the public airwaves. It is dangerous to suggest that the government should be in the business of rationing free speech. During my years in radio and television, I developed a great respect for a free and independent press. Since being in Congress, I have been the recipient of praise and criticism from broadcast media, but it has not changed my fundamental belief that a free and independent press must be vigorously defended by those who love liberty.
“I commend Representatives Robert Latta, Robin Hayes, Steve Scalise, John McHugh and Mike Rogers ( AL ) for their decision to sign the discharge petition and be counted among those who support freedom against censorship and cherish the dynamic national asset that is American talk radio.
“With their signatures, we are now just a precious few signatures from forcing an up-or-down vote on this essential legislation, which would keep our airwaves free and send the so-called ‘Fairness Doctrine’ where it belongs – to the ash heap of radio broadcast history.
“If the Broadcaster Freedom Act is brought to the floor of the House of Representatives, I have every confidence that it will pass, because when freedom gets an up-or-down vote in the People’s House, freedom always wins.
For more information and recent updates on the status of the Broadcaster Freedom Act and the so-called Fairness Doctrine visit Congressman Pence’s website at http://mikepence.house.gov/ConstituentServices/fairnessdoctrine.htm
Only 23 more signatures needed...
Ohio delegation members who have signed include Boehner (OH-08), Jordan (OH-04), Turner (OH-03), Schmidt (OH-02), Tiberi (OH-12), Pryce (OH-15), Chabot (OH-01), Hobson (OH-07), LaTourette (OH-14), and now Latta (OH-05).
