WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg today issued the following statement in response to the passage of the Broadcaster Freedom Act as an amendment to the D.C. Voting Rights Act, which passed this afternoon in the Senate.  Rehberg is a cosponsor of this legislation in the U.S. House. 

“Anyone who thinks that talk radio only tells one side of the story doesn’t spend much time in front of a radio.  The fact is, talk show hosts regularly accept calls from listeners that disagree with them, and the debates are lively and informative.  The last thing we need is the federal government stepping in to referee an active discussion to declare winners and losers.  I’m proud of the Senate for passing this important safeguard, and I hope the House of Representatives acts quickly on this legislation.”

The Broadcasters Freedom Act prevents the revival of the mislabeled “Fairness Doctrine,” which was thrown out by the FCC in the 1980s.  This doctrine would require radio stations to meet federally mandated requirements for content or risk reprisal.  The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that The Fairness Doctrine inescapably dampens the vigor and limits the variety of public debate.