Bill Text: OH SCR4 | 2009-2010 | 128th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: As Introduced 128th General AssemblyRegular Session2009-2010S. C. R. No. 4 Senators Grendell, Coughlin

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 9-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2009-02-24 - To State & Local Government & Veterans Affairs [SCR4 Detail]

Download: Ohio-2009-SCR4-Introduced.html

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As Introduced

128th General Assembly Regular Session 2009-2010

S. C. R. No. 4

Senators Grendell, Coughlin 

Cosponsors: Senators Schuring, Faber, Seitz, Gibbs, Cates, Wagoner, Hughes 

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A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

To request that the members of the United States

1

Congress refrain from enacting the Fairness

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Doctrine into law.

3

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF OHIO
(THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING):

WHEREAS, Prior to 1987, the United States Federal	4
Communications Commission had a policy known as the "Fairness	5
Doctrine" that required all coverage of controversial issues by a	6
broadcast station be balanced and fair; and	7

WHEREAS, Currently, the public relies on the judgment of	8
broadcast journalists and its own ability to sort out any	9
one-sided or distorted coverage of an issue rather than any United	10
States Federal Communications Commission requirement for balanced	11
presentation of controversial issues for broadcasting; and	12

WHEREAS, Broadcasters can and do provide substantial coverage	13
of controversial issues of public importance in their communities,	14
including contrasting viewpoints, through news, public affairs,	15
public service, interactive, and special programming; and	16

WHEREAS, The Fairness Doctrine has the effect of forcing	17
journalists to avoid coverage of controversial issues rather than	18
attempt to find contrasting viewpoints for every issue; and	19

WHEREAS, The Fairness Doctrine violates the First Amendment	20
rights of free speech and free press by prohibiting reporters from	21
making their own decisions about balancing stories; and	22

WHEREAS, Previous attempts by the United States Congress to	23
enact the Fairness Doctrine into law were vetoed by both President	24
Reagan and President Bush; now therefore be it	25

RESOLVED, That we, the members of the 128th General Assembly	26
of the State of Ohio, hereby request that the United States	27
Congress refrain from enacting the Fairness Doctrine into law; and	28
be it further	29

RESOLVED, That the Clerk of the Senate transmit duly	30
authenticated copies of this resolution to the President of the	31
United States, to the Speaker and the Clerk of the United States	32
House of Representatives, to the President Pro Tempore and the	33
Secretary of the United States Senate, to the members of the Ohio	34
Congressional delegation, and to the news media of Ohio.	35