Fox News to Swing Left?

It looks as if Washington politicians are tired of average citizens knowing what goes on in the nation's capital. The so-called “Fairness Doctrine" is rearing its ugly head again. This is where the feds tell every broadcast station to carry two sides of all
controversial issues. This is something that doesn't work. I've been doing this jazz since 1977 and I can tell you it doesn't work.

Who will decide what is controversial? Will PBS be forced to broadcast Rush Limbaugh for balance? Will Pat Robinson have to put on a Buddhist for balance? What is controversial?
My guess is that under the “Fairness Doctrine”... if Conservative folks are in power, the media will be forced to lean Conservative...and if the Liberals are in power, the media will have to lean Liberal. ...or risk losing a broadcast license.

It's a no-brainier that most talk radio RIGHT NOW is conservative. This is because the radio stations go where the ratings are, and right now that means conservative viewpoint. I believe this is because so much on Television (other than Fox News) is left of center. Conservative talk radio is popular because so many conservatives have been chased away from the big three TV networks.

People choose radio stations the same way they choose their lunch or the clothes they wear. It is part of their identity. If you force a radio station to lose its identity, you force it to give up the appeal it has to its audience. Making a talk radio station like KOLE air someone like Al Frankin is like telling a station like KAYD it has to play music from Lil’ Wayne & Fat Joe.

Let the conservatives have their Fox News and let the liberals have their CNN.
In my opinion, if the government goes ahead and pushes the Fairness Doctrine, it will mean less listeners to LOCAL radio and more folks moving to Satellite radio where the government keeps it's nose out of content control.

Here is the latest news release from Cornyn's office on the matter, he opposes it...Others favor it..On this issue, I have to side with Cornyn.

Cornyn Joins in Introducing Bill to Ensure Free, Open Media
New Legislation Would Prevent Imposition of So-Called “Fairness Doctrine”

WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined several Senate colleagues Friday in introducing legislation to prohibit the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from using funds to impose the so-called “Fairness Doctrine” on America’s broadcasters. Sen. Cornyn is an original cosponsor of the Broadcasters Freedom Act of 2007, S. 1748. The bill’s main sponsor is U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn.

“A basic principle of our democracy is a press that is free of government influence or control. It is shameful that some now believe the federal government should dictate to Texans what they can say and when on the airwaves,” U.S. Sen. Cornyn said. “If reinstated, the ‘Fairness Doctrine’ would be a direct assault on one of this nation’s most cherished freedoms. This important legislation will ensure that all ideas can be expressed openly and freely on our nation’s airwaves.”

In recent days, Democrat leaders in both the U.S. House and U.S. Senate have expressed support for reinstating the “Fairness Doctrine,” which was repealed some 20 years ago. This was an obsolete federal regulation that, until its repeal in 1987, required broadcasters to air all sides of controversial issues, regardless of listener choice, or risk the loss of their broadcast license.

Sen. Cornyn serves on the Armed Services, Judiciary and Budget Committees. In addition, he is Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Ethics. He serves as the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee’s Immigration, Border Security and Citizenship subcommittee and the Armed Services Committee’s Airland subcommittee.

Musing at 5 am

Here are the news highlights as I see them this week...

• BRADY WORKING TO CURB PILL MILLS
• SCUBA STORES WARNED ABOUT POTENTIAL TERRORIST CUSTOMERS
• HURRICANE ANNIVERSARY AUDRY
• VIDOR PRINCIPAL RESIGNS
• JEFF CO DEPUTY PAY
• MAYOR OF ORANGE RELEASED FROM HOSPITAL
• ARMED ROBBER DIES FROM INJURIES
• FUNERAL FOR VINTON SOLDIER
• HARDIN CO. BOOZE PETITION HANDED OVER TO COUNTY
• SEVERAL FATAL ACCIDENTS

I'm glad to see that Brady is talking about the "pill mills" in southeast Texas. My mother had to quit her job when one of these moved next to her place of business. Seems it got too dangerous to go to the parking lot. There were muggings and at least one attempted car theft because of the folks milling around, waiting to get their fix from Dr. Feelgood. I hope Mr. Brady is actually doing something and not just grabbing a headline. We have so many news items that seem to be posturing, but nothing gets done. Consider all the stink last year about prostitution raids in Beaumont. Are we really making a difference? (here's something for our area reporters to look into)...it's been months since we had some high-profile raids... are the ladies of the evening thriving in their trade?

I hope the deputies get their pay raise. I know there is a lot of talk on the blogs saying the current negotiations are just "payback," but I have no problem in paying lawmen and firemen well. When did it become government's job to build museums and grant cash to those who work in the tourist industry? Lets take some of that cash and hand it over to the people who are serving what should be a main focus of government..that is...protecting people.
By the way, on a side note...I keep hearing the county has all of this cash it did not have before. This is the reason many sources say the deputies may get their raise. I want to know how we went from gray skies to sunny skies financially. It seemed to change less than a year after the new judge took office. Is this the effect of something judge Griffith and company brought about...and if not...what did Judge Walker's folks do to change things. Everyone seems to be silent in answering this question. Who is responsible for the "good times" that magically showed up?

The week started with a story about a store clerk that used a gun and blew away an armed robber who was holding up one of his fellow clerks. Good for the clerk! I know there will be those who will say the robber didn't deserve to die because he was holding up a store. My take is that store clerks do not deserve to die...or feel they may die...because some jerk with a gun wants to get a little cash to go buy his drugs. The thief lost his right to live the moment he threatened to take someone else's' right to live.

Sadly, while all of the above was going on, the national cameras were focused on Paris Hilton...another socialite who gets a wink and a nod..and a very short jail sentence for doing the same thing that put many behind bars for months. What struck me was the attitude of "me behind bars?" from Hilton. Give me a break. Her butt should stay in jail just as long as anyone else who commits a crime. Hmmm... if she had been an office worker or a construction worker, how long would she have spent in custody?

LOOKING FORWARD
Port Arthur will get it's first African American mayor this weekend...David Drake is expected to have his murder trial next month...and get ready for those TEA ratings...What will the journalism majors "uncover" over the next few weeks?

Another Average Week in SETX

NEWS THIS WEEK:

Here are the highlights from the past few days news...

• Orange mayor has heart attack
• Beaumont picks Audwin Samuel for Mayor Pro Temp
• Visitor's Center opens next to Ford Park
• Third candidate announces she wants to replace retiring Waymon Hallmark for Commissioner
• Port Arthur considers smoking ban
• Union tells Kroger they may walk
• Early voting begins for runoff election
• Lots of muggings, stabbings and robberies this week

In all, a so-so news week

GOSSIP:
Angel San Juan is headed to KBTV. He went from the number 1 rated station in the market to the number 3 rated station and lots of folks are asking, “why would he do that?”
I don't know Angel personally. I have met him and he seems like a nice guy. As for his work, I think he is one of the best southeast Texas investigative reporters. If I had to guess why he jumped to KBTV, it probably comes down to money. Prestige cannot put food on the table or buy you a new car. Another factor is that he will be an anchor at channel 4 and not just a reporter/weekend anchor. The only downside I see to his arrival for channel 4 (in my opinion) is that he is said to be replacing Rusty Surrette. Rusty was (in my opinion) the best reporter they had at the station. It's a shame for 4 that they could not have both. What does this mean for KFDM? As an outsider looking in I would say it means they need to find a good investigative reporter to replace Angel.. period.

AROUND THE OFFICE
Earlier this week the office gossip was a wrestling girl who has been allowed to anchor the news as part of a reality show. The outcry is “how can they let this girl do this without any journalistic background. She is not credible.” Come on everyone, get off the high horse. I know I'll ruffle a lot of folks by asking the obvious question: What journalistic background is needed for a TV anchor. The anchor's job is to read the news while looking and sounding good. The burden of getting the news.. writing the news...and checking accuracy falls on the reporters, producers, news directors and assignment editors. If this is not the case then I have to question every anchor that has blamed the producer, reporter, news director or assignment editor for making him/her look bad by writing something silly.

A SAD GOODBYE
On a sad note, I had to put down one of my dogs this past week. The look of “why are you doing this to me” is something I'll remember for a long time. It's not quite like losing a family member, but I have certainly lost a friend.

A Few Random Thoughts

It was an good week for news.

Some of the highlights include:

• Pain Management clinics finally busted
• Death of Councilman Cokinos
• Port Arthur man on the loose with TB
• Orange County tax appraisal protests are due Friday
• More flack over the May elections
• Jeff Co. Sheriff's negotiate pay issues

I thought it was interesting that Andrew Cokinos died exactly one month after the May election.
Cokinos served over 20 years as a city councilman, and he has an extraordinary family.
His brothers served in leadership rolls.
One is a WWII General, another is a former county commissioner.
Although Andrew probably should have given up his city council seat earlier because of health reasons, I don't think that's a decision that would be easy for anyone to make... especially someone for someone who seems to be a natural leader.

There was a lot in the news community going on behind the scenes with the pain management clinics.
This is a story I started working on in February when my mother had to quit her job because one of the clinics opened shop next door to the store where she worked. I am so glad to see the damn things getting some grief from the feds. The clinics may have cost my mom a good job, but they have cost a lot of people their lives. I look forward to the day they close their doors for good (if that day is coming.)

For me personally, the lesson of the week came from watching the magic worked by county appraisers.
My wife and I bought a home four years ago for $60-thousand.
It was in mint condition when we bought the thing.
Now, after years of wear from six kids, two dogs and two adults, the county says my house is worth $77-thousand dollars.
Behold, the magic that only a county official can work.
I have filed a protest, but the vibe I'm getting now is that no fountain of truth I can turn on can overpower the magic of the county auditor.
I just wish I could find a real estate agent that could get me what the county says the property is worth.