Partisan Divisions And The Fairness Doctrine

America is in trouble. It’s not just that our country is divided into at least two camps. The problem is that truth has become relative. Alternate realities should only exist in Dungeons and Dragons, not in political discourse and not pushed by internationally-owned multi-billion dollar media outlets. If we don’t reinstate and enforce the Fairness Doctrine of 1968, we won’t have protection from the rise of fascism we see all around us.

When fascist movements take root, the truth becomes inconvenient, it’s ignored or an alternate truth or reality is created, pushed, and pursued. The January 6 capitol riot was an attempt at insurrection and Trump should be held accountable. His fellow politicians and the media outlets who pumped up his devoted and misinformed crowd pushed them into a violent and noxious action that compromised the existence, reputation and stability of this great nation. They should also be brought to book.

When large corporations deal in deception, you don’t allow the people to know where the truth lies. The relaxing or paralyzing of the Fairness Doctrine is allowing a right-wing political minority with plenty of cash to deal in distortion. The problem today is that our politicians have decided to not prosecute or enforce this law. When we don’t, these things happen and the whole of society breaks down. The consequence is that we the citizens become divided into separate camps, pushed into an all-consuming attempt by corporations to block the clear picture of reality as well as good and ethical decisions.

These actions happen when immoral characters use deception as their narrative, and we receive it like a Mike Tyson haymaker punch to the head. Our collective mind becomes discombobulated because normal productive people use truth and common sense as vehicles to solve problems and tackle life’s predicaments. The power centers that don’t want to allow the balanced coverage that the Fairness Doctrine would afford do so because it protects them if they have something to hide, lose and shields them from responsibility when they are complicit in a crime.

I don’t want to restrict the First Amendment, but for outlets reaching millions, there must be some protection against pure propaganda. The Fairness Doctrine doesn’t prevent corporate media from pushing a bias, only that they also are required to present alternative viewpoints as well. A powerful politician like the ex-President with a large following and a media empire can get out of hand quite quickly, and it could become difficult to sort them out in the middle of a nightmare scenario. These arguments are the very reason why we should have and shore up The Fairness Doctrine.

This article in Yahoo News highlights the danger, stating that “retired US army generals warn of insurrection or civil war in 2024 if rogue military units pledge loyalty to a ‘Trumpian’ loser”.

There remain powerful forces that seek to deregulate criminal behavior for the rich and powerful. Our country is on a path to be a racketeering free for all, for the benefit America oligarchs. The reality of increased lawlessness is that it can benefit the rich and powerful. It’s not an advantage for the average person especially in our monopolistic form of capitalism where any con can and will happen. All the while, the majority are increasingly affected around by the whims and pursuits of the ringleaders of chaos and the hatred growing among the needy and down-and-out is a clear-cut picture of the problems ahead. Perpetrating lies for the benefit of the few will only harm and violate the vulnerable while multiplying the accumulated wealth of the insatiable. Let’s not let deception steal our freedoms, our way of life and especially our democracy, because we should all have a say in this United States of America!