[Peace-discuss] Fw: Lou Dobbs is dangerous

[LAURIE SOLOMON]

Whether or not one is engaged in censorship in this case appears to depend
on one’s referent level being addressed.  Your point about Lou Dobbs, the
person, may have some merit vis-à-vis the difference between censorship and
access to the exulted platform of radio & TV; however if you move the level
of reference up to the radio/TV station level, then one might be seen as
engaging in the censorship of the station and its broadcast content.

 

While no one guarantees the right to have a nationally televised show, no
one guarantees anyone the right to prevent someone from having such a show
or, for that matter prevents someone from having such a show.  In the case
of radio/TV, the air waves allegedly belong to the public to license to
actors for use.   The radio/TV stations and networks are among those actors;
and within legally prescribed restrictions they are free to air whatever
content they see fit,  independent of what the public or any portion of the
public might desire although in this country that decision is driven by the
market (audience share and advertising money).  Obviously, if one wants to
alter the legal restrictions, one needs to go through the process of
changing the legal framework , statutes, and administrative rules pertaining
to the conditions of licensing.

 

If one moves up a level to the ownership and control over the air waves,
which belong legally to the public, then I am afraid that those who wish to
see Dobbs shut down are going to lose for now and in the near future since
they do not compose a majority of the public – or enough to force a change
in the licensing requirements for the stations and their personnel as to the
sorts of content that they can air and when.  Like the other right-wing talk
commentators, his station and he appear to have strong national following
that support and demand him be given air time and are willing to put their
money where their mouths are.  That cannot be said for the progressives, the
left, or even the moderate reformers.  If they comprised a significantly
large population and if each contributed $5 or $10 each per year for
purposes of buying advertising on the stations that carry Dobbs, they could
probably use that as leverage to get the stations to either reel him and
other in or take them off the air.  But it seems that the progressives, the
left, liberal and moderate reformers would rather hold on to their money  or
spend it elsewhere and exercise their lungs shouting and crying about him
and his content instead.

 

From: peace-discuss-bounces at lists.chambana.net
[mailto:peace-discuss-bounces at lists.chambana.net] On Behalf Of Neil Parthun
Sent: Friday, August 14, 2009 10:13 PM
To: C.G.Estabrook
Cc: peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net
Subject: Re: [Peace-discuss] Fw: Lou Dobbs is dangerous

 

Banning speech and requesting that such speech does not have a hyper-exulted
platform to amplify it are two very different things.

 

Nobody is saying Lou Dobbs doesn't have a right to say whatever he wants.
He has that right.  However, no person is guaranteed the right to have a
nationally televised show to promote their views and perspectives on any
topic.

Solidarity,

  -N.

 

Neil Parthun

  IEA Region 9 Grassroots Political Activist

  Writer/Facilitator for Champaign-Urbana Public i

 

"Early in life I had learned that if you want something, you had better make
some noise." - Malcolm X

 

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