Democrats, poised for congressional gains and a possible presidential win, may revive the Fairness Doctrine, which would force broadcasters to give equal time to each side of a controversial subject, the Wall Street Journal reports, citing some statements by conservative pundits on Web logs and radio shows. While Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama’s campaign has denied intentions of enforcing such a doctrine, some Republicans have said he would do little to stop the measure, which was borne out of the Federal Communications Commission’s efforts in the 1950s to ensure the airwaves would be used for the public good and was denounced in the 1980s as limiting free speech, the Journal says.
—Danny King