{"id":121,"date":"2009-01-28T13:56:38","date_gmt":"2009-01-28T13:56:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/lynnvsekulow\/2009\/01\/leave-talk-radio-alone.html"},"modified":"2009-01-28T13:56:38","modified_gmt":"2009-01-28T13:56:38","slug":"leave-talk-radio-alone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/lynnvsekulow\/2009\/01\/leave-talk-radio-alone.html","title":{"rendered":"Leave Talk Radio Alone"},"content":{"rendered":"

With each passing day comes more concern about conservative talk radio.  <\/span>Now, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has launched an online petition<\/a> targeting Rush Limbaugh.  <\/span>That comes just days after President Obama told Republican lawmakers<\/a> that “they can’t just listen to Rush Limbaugh and get things done.”  <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/font>What’s troubling here is that I can already see the storm clouds forming over the Democratic-controlled Congress and the growing desire to bring back the ill-fated Fairness Doctrine, a measure that would permit the government to tell radio broadcasters what to air by forcing them to air “opposing views.”  <\/span>Such a move would muzzle broadcasters and strikes at the very core of free speech.<\/font><\/p>\n

Barry, you know the way to handle this is the way we handle our radio programs.  <\/span>On my radio show, you are my frequent on-air guest as we discuss a wide range of issues that we disagree about.  <\/span>Likewise, you have invited me to take part in your radio broadcast and I have participated with you in on-air debates many times.  <\/span>That’s the way it should be.  <\/span>There’s no need to interject the federal government into this process.  <\/span>We control the content of our own broadcasts and that’s the way it should remain.<\/font><\/p>\n

But there’s a drumbeat that seems to be getting louder in Washington.  <\/span>And, there’s likely to be more focus on bringing back the Fairness Doctrine.  <\/span><\/font><\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

In a recent news report, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi affirmed her support for a “Fairness” policy and Sen. Jeff Bingaman, (D-N.M.) told a radio host:  <\/span>“I would want this station and all stations to have to present a balanced perspective and different points of view, instead of always hammering away at one side of the political [spectrum].”<\/font><\/p>\n

And, now, the new Administration may be thinking about going in that direction, too.  <\/span>Consider this from the new White House website <\/a> – President Obama’s agenda when it comes to dealing with technology:<\/font><\/p>\n

“Encourage Diversity in Media Ownership: Encourage diversity in the ownership of broadcast media, promote the development of new media outlets for expression of diverse viewpoints, and clarify the public interest obligations of broadcasters who occupy the nation’s spectrum.”<\/font><\/p>\n

I certainly hope these aren’t code words for reinstatement of the “Fairness Doctrine.” <\/font><\/p>\n

We don’t need the federal government to regulate the content of talk radio, Barry.  <\/span><\/font><\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

Let’s leave the airwaves alone.<\/font><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

With each passing day comes more concern about conservative talk radio.  Now, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has launched an online petition targeting Rush Limbaugh.  That comes just days after President Obama told Republican lawmakers that “they can’t just listen to Rush Limbaugh and get things done.” <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":163,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[59,8,36,10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-121","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-censorship","category-congress","category-free-speech","category-white-house"],"yoast_head":"\nLeave Talk Radio Alone - Lynn v. 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Jay Sekulow has also served as a faculty member for the Office of Legal Education at the United States Department of Justice.  As a member of the faculty he instructed Assistant United States Attorneys and investigators in the First Amendment issues associated with prosecution of obscenity. An accomplished and respected judicial advocate, Sekulow has presented oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court in numerous cases in defense of constitutional freedoms. Several landmark cases argued by Sekulow before the U.S. Supreme Court have become part of the legal landscape in the area of religious liberty litigation.  In the Mergens case, Sekulow cleared the way for public school students to form Bible clubs and religious organizations on their school campuses.  In the Lamb's Chapel case, Sekulow defended the free speech rights of religious groups, ensuring that they be treated equally with respect to the use of public facilities.  And, most recently, in McConnell v. FEC, Sekulow ensured that the constitutional rights of young people remain protected with a unanimous decision by the high court guaranteeing that minors can participate in political campaigns. A nationally recognized and respected defender of religious freedom, Sekulow has assembled one of the most prestigious law firms in the nation.  Founded in 1990, the American Center for Law and Justice focuses in constitutional law.  The ACLJ, under Sekulow's direction, is involved in public interest and public policy issues working to protect religious and constitutional liberties. In 2007, the Chicago Tribune concluded that the ACLJ has \"led the way\" in Christian legal advocacy.  In 2005, TIME Magazine named Sekulow one of the \"25 Most Influential Evangelicals\" in America and called the ACLJ \"a powerful counterweight\" to the ACLU.  Business Week said the ACLJ is \"the leading advocacy group for religious freedom.\"  Sekulow's work on the issue of judicial nominees - including possible vacancies at the Supreme Court - has received extensive news coverage including a front page story in The Wall Street Journal.  In addition, The National Law Journal has twice named Sekulow one of the \"100 Most Influential Lawyers\" in the United States (1994, 1997).  He is also among a distinguished group of attorneys known as \"The Public Sector 45\" named by The American Lawyer (January\/February 1997).  The magazine said the designation represents \"45 young lawyers outside the private sector whose vision and commitment are changing lives.\" Sekulow brings insight and education to listeners daily with his national call-in radio program, Jay Sekulow Live!, which is broadcast throughout the country on nearly 850 radio stations.  Sekulow also hosts a weekly television program, ACLJ This Week, which tackles the tough issues of the day and is broadcast on a number of networks nationwide including the Trinity Broadcasting Network and FamilyNet.  Sekulow is also a popular guest on nationally televised news programs on ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, FOX News, MSNBC, CNBC, and PBS.  He frequently contributes articles and commentary to national publications and is often quoted in the nation's leading newspapers including USA Today, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, and Washington Times. A graduate of Mercer University, Sekulow graduated cum laude receiving both a bachelor's degree and doctor of jurisprudence from Mercer University where he served on the Mercer Law Review as an editorial staff member.  Following graduation, Sekulow served as a tax trial attorney in the Office of Chief Counsel for the Internal Revenue Service.  In that capacity, Sekulow prepared and brought to trial tax cases on behalf of the United States Department of Treasury in United States Tax Court. He also received a Ph.D. from Regent University, with a dissertation on American Legal History, and is the author of numerous publications and law articles. 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