Dennis Kucinich Debates Hannity And Colmes On The Fairness Doctrine

[Luckyduck]

The great Dennis Kucinich came on Hannity & Colmes last night (1/30/07) to debate the possibility of reinstituting the Fairness Doctrine. It seems ironic to me that a news network touting itself as “fair and balanced” should be against such a policy. After all, if they’re really so fair, it shouldn’t be a problem, right? Wrong. With video.

Sean Hannity was in full bullyboy glory as he first tried to sidetrack Kucinich with gotcha questions about Al Franken’s Air America show failing (though news reports indicate he's popular and leaving to run for the Senate), the “liberal media” and then shouting that the fairness doctrine would silence conservatives. Meanwhile, the only one silenced was Kucinich who laughingly pointed out he could barely get a word in edgewise.

The FOX News chyron coyly reinforced Hannity's position by “asking:” THE FAIRNESS DOCTRINE: ARE LIBERALS SILENCING CONSERVATIVES?

Alan Colmes was more gracious but he, too, was adamant about not wanting government “policing content.”

Kucinich was magnificently unflappable as he explained that corporations – media or otherwise – have no First Amendment rights, that the airwaves belong to the public, which licenses them to broadcasters, and that the public needs and deserves a diversity of opinions on its airwaves. As an example of the necessity, he cited the number of Americans who wrongly think Iraq had a connection to 9/11.

http://www.newshounds.us/2007/01/31/dennis_kucinich_debates_hannity_and_colmes_on_the_fairness_doctrine.php

[FrenchieCat]

1. How wonderful!

Kucinich is so right on this!

We really need some fair reporting....and we really don't get it...and it is affecting everything in this country.

Thank You, Rep. Kucinich! :patriot:

[donsu]

2. kick

nt

[SutaUvaca]

3. Other than Kucinich, who was admirable,

that clip is sickening.
both Slappity and Colon are obviously aware that the Fairness Doctrine could put their network out of business.
Blatant sycophants, both of them.

But the bully-boy. What unmitigated gall and horseshit to tell Kucinich that he gets to talk twice as much (while supposedly doing an interview) because he makes twice as much sense as Kucinich.

Slappity gets my vote for being one of the top ten most evil-perpetuating voices in the nation.

[Uncle Joe]

4. Thank you Representative Kucinich

:yourock: :patriot:

Kicked and recommended

[mitchleary]

5. If the

media is soooo liberal, wouldn't the the fairness doctrine help make sure conservatives have an equal voice?
You would think they ould want that................

[vireo]

10. LOL! Good point

When Hannity asked Kucinich if the NYT and WP had a liberal bias, Dennis should have replied, "Hell, no!" but I don't think he was willing to be sidetracked by that debate.

[Luckyduck]

12. best. point. ever.

:applause:

[KoKo]

6. Hope Kucinich will get a chance to be on MSNBC/CNN...but

imagine they aren't going to want to talk about this. Let Faux do their dirty work for them.

[ItNerd4life]

7. I disagree with Dennis, I don't want conservatives on DU.

You state "Kucinich was magnificently unflappable as he explained that corporations – media or otherwise – have no First Amendment rights, that the airwaves belong to the public, which licenses them to broadcasters, and that the public needs and deserves a diversity of opinions on its airwaves."

Why will this only stop at airwaves? The same thing could be said about the internet! I don't want Conservatives on DU! Please look further out than just radio waves, the internet didn't exist when this was a law.

I don't want conservatives on DU! That's what this law will lead to.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

9. No. Websites aren't public like airwaves. Your "slippery slope" doesn't exist. -nt

[devilgrrl]

13. Not to worry - you won't be here long

troll

[bvar22]

19. We have Conservatives on DU.

Look at all the Hillary supporters.

The Democratic Party is a BIG TENT, but there is NO ROOM for those
who advance the agenda of THE RICH (Corporate Owners) at the EXPENSE of LABOR and the POOR.

[Ron Green]

8. Proud to send this "Dennis" thread to the Greatest Page.

[in_cog_ni_to]

11. WTG, Dennis! The ONLY people who still believe Iraq had anything to do with 911 are FAUX NEWS

watchers. That's exactly how FAUX NEWS wants it too. "We Distort, YOU Abide."

[Luckyduck]

14. He must have shocked some of those Faux viewers

but they probably just covered their ears 'lalalalalalala'

[baldguy]

15. Anyone who looks at the news media in general, and talk shows in particular, must admit

that THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG!

60 million Bush voters have 600 radio stations and four television networks to broadcast their opinion.

60 million people in the reality-based community have Air America, Keith Oberman and what? A half dozen other late night radio shows in a handful of markets?

This staggering dichotomy isn't due to the result of the "market", since the demographics and audience for a progressive political viewpoint are EXACTLY the same as for a right-wing viewpoint. The difference is that a cabal of corporatists decided 35 yrs ago that they needed to influence the political dynamics of this country, and to do so they needed to actively promot conservative viewpoints and suppress opposing ones. The elimination of the Fairness Doctrine and the consolidation of media ownership are central to this effort.

[Ron Green]

18. I suggest that "the market" really DOES favor right-wing radio, for the simple reason that

childish name-calling and black/white thinking is far more entertaining than sober and rational discourse. As long as advertisers care only about the quantity of their audience and not the quality, our airwaves will be beholden to the lowest messages.

[baldguy]

24. Morrow was a radio talk show host too.

Once upon a time, quality was a desirable asset.

[cap]

16. this clip should be saved...

Kucinich magnificently illustrates the point by pointing out that he cant get a word in edgewise and he definitely wasnt getting equal time in this interview!

[noonwitch]

17. I'm not a huge Kucenich fan, but he was good last night with Hannity

Hannity basically was trying to tell everyone what Kucenich had to say, without letting Kucenich say what he really wanted to say.

I loathe Sean Hannity far more than I could ever loathe O'Reilly or even Tony Snow.

[RedStateShame]

20. Wait...Chuck Norris wasn't available for the tapings?

[MaggieSwanson]

21. Dennis Kucinich speaks for me.

That is why I continue to support him - how can I not? He clearly and unwaveringly articulates my positions, time after time.

Dennis: :yourock:

[reprehensor]

22. Go Dennis!

I like that guy.

[PreacherCasey]

23. Ahhh... Fox News. Where else can you get you two minutes hate,

720 times a day?!

Go Dennis! You have my support. :thumbsup: