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NewsIt's A "Question Of Ethics" For Comedy Writer And New York Times The Ethicist Columnist Randy Cohen Game Day Weather Hits The Ground Running with MSS and Red Zebra Broadcasting NAR’s Real Estate Today Adds 77 WABC New York, the Nation’s Number-One DMA Ed Schultz lands national nightly TV program on MSNBC The Michael Smerconish Program launches nationally from MSS DC studio MSS retains Laura Gonzo as Affiliate Sales Rep for Real Estate Today MSS adds Portland’s KXL as latest Real Estate Today Affiliate Bill Press posts record ratings for WXXM Madison, WI FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI): Hold Radio Station Owners Accountable for Fairness In an exclusive interview on the nationally syndicated Bill Press Show this morning, Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) revealed that she and her Senate colleagues are planning to hold hearings investigating the structural imbalance of political talk radio in 2009. "I absolutely think it’s time to be bringing accountability to the airwaves," said Sen. Stabenow. "…there needs to be accountability and standards put in place." When asked by Mr. Press, "Can we count on you to push for some hearings in the United States Senate this year, to bring these owners in and hold them accountable?", Senator Stabenow answered, "I have already had some discussions with colleagues and… I feel like that’s gonna happen." See the full transcript below or listen to the audio: BILL PRESS: You certainly have been – one of – if not the most supportive voices in the United States Senate for progressive talk radio. So, I know you must be dismayed to learn that here in Washington DC, as we’ve been talking about this hour, Obama 1260 is going away. They are changing the format, they are dumping progressive talk. Which as you know, Senator, they’ve done in market after market across the country. San Diego, Sacramento, you know, Miami this last week – you name it. What can we do about that, and aren’t owners of radio stations required to provide some balance of voices? SENATOR DEBBIE STABENOW (D-MI): Absolutely. You know, I – I think that this is such a disservice to the public and, um, I continue to think that, uh, we need to be seeing a couple things happen. To continue to support great radio hosts like yourself, and, and promoting more programs that are, that are coming into the market place. But we’re going to have to have some accountability. You know, we had something called the Fairness Doctrine, back until the eighties when it was removed, where where you had to have balance— BILL PRESS: Right, yeah— SENATOR DEBBIE STABENOW (D-MI): and I think something that requires that in a market with owners that have multiple stations that they have got to have balance – there has to be some community uh, interest – balance, you know, standard that says both sides have to be heard. And, I think that, you know, I see this myself, as a member of the Senate – when you see the airwaves dominated by one view that, um, that then overwhelms people’s opinions – and unfortunately, incorrectly – I mean when we, uh, you know, when we hear the right wing conservative talk show hosts who are out there, just trying to make people angry and saying all kinds of things that aren’t true and so on. There has to be voices on the other side. BILL PRESS: Yeah, I mean look: They have a right to say that. They’ve got a right to express that. But, they should not be the only voices heard. So, is it time to bring back the Fairness Doctrine? SENATOR DEBBIE STABENOW (D-MI): I think it’s absolutely time to pass a standard. Now, whether it’s called the Fairness Standard, whether it’s called something else – I absolutely think it’s time to be bringing accountability to the airwaves. I mean, our new president has talked rightly about accountability and transparency. You know, that we all have to step up and be responsible. And, I think in this case, there needs to be some accountability and standards put in place. BILL PRESS: Can we count on you to push for some hearings in the United States Senate this year, to bring these owners in and hold them accountable? SENATOR DEBBIE STABENOW (D-MI): I have already had some discussions with colleagues and, you know, I feel like that’s gonna happen. Yep. Paul Woodhull The Bill Press Show & Obama 1260 Present: "OBAMA RADIO NATION 2009" A Celebration of the Inauguration of Barack Obama & Progressive Talk Radio "Obama Radio Nation 2009" is a 3-hour live show and national radio broadcast from Lisner Auditorium at The George Washington University, hosted by the nationally-syndicated progressive talk-radio host Bill Press, and featuring the country's leading progressive talk-radio hosts, including Stephanie Miller and many more, all on-stage together for a celebration of the inauguration of Barack Obama and the role progressive talk radio has played nationally in this historic occasion. The show will also feature a "house band," giving the show a feel akin to a more lively "Prairie Home Companion" - and there's simply no telling who else might "drop by" to talk to those gathered, or perhaps to sing a tune in tribute to a once-in-a-lifetime moment which is transforming this country, and, perhaps, had the the world. As mentioned, the live audience show will be broadcast on progressive talk-radio stations in most markets around the country, and we anticipate that C-Span will carry it live on TV. After the show, VIPs will be invited to cross the street to the Marvin Center's Grand Ballroom for a private reception. "Since the advent of Progressive Talk Radio, we have seen great talkers like Bill Press and Stephanie Miller provide a much needed balance to the airwaves that have been dominated by talented conservative broadcasters for decades. The inauguration of Barack Obama, the incoming majorities in both the House and the Senate, and the success and growth of Progressive Talk Radio are significant victories for the American people," observed Paul Woodhull, President of Media Syndication Services and a pioneer of the Progressive Talk format. |
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