Americans are evenly divided as to whether or not the government should “require all radio and television stations to offer equal amounts of conservative and liberal political commentary.” The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 41% favor that proposal and 41% are opposed.

The concept, known as the “Fairness Doctrine” in legislative circles, has been gaining ground on Capitol Hill ever since public opposition forced the Senate to back down on the immigration issue. The news has not attracted a lot of public interest—just 16% say they’re following stories about the Fairness Doctrine Very Closely while another 21% say they’ve been following it Somewhat Closely.

A large segment of the public would like to extend the concept of the Fairness Doctrine to the Internet as well. Thirty-four percent (34%) believe the government should “require web sites that offer political commentary to present opposing viewpoints.” Fifty percent (50%) are opposed.

Talk radio has been a special target of the discussion. Republican Senator Trent Lott expressed his bitterness over the outcome of the immigration debate by grumbling that “talk radio is running the country.” The Center for American Progress, a progressive think tank, issued a report citing was it sees as the structural imbalance in talk radio and the need for further regulation. Their statistics and others have shown that most talk radio shows feature conservative political commentary.

Thirty-six percent (36%) of Americans believe that “there are more conservative radio talk shows because they get better ratings than liberal talk radio.” Twenty-seven percent (27%) believe “there are more conservative talk shows because the station owners are biased and don't want liberal shows on their station.” Another 16% believe there is some other reason for the imbalance.

An interesting dynamic of the public debate is that liberals are more supportive of the “Fairness Doctrine: than conservatives. Liberals support the measure by a 51% to 33% margin while conservatives are opposed by a 48% to 40% margin.

Those numbers might come under the “be careful what you wish for” category. A separate survey found that the general public tends to believe that major broadcast networks have a liberal bias. Many conservatives believe that talk radio took on its current form precisely because an alternative was needed to the traditional media outlets.

Another recent survey found that Americans believe the New York Times, Washington Post, and their local newspaper has a liberal bias. Even those who are politically liberal are more likely to see the New York Times as biased in favor of liberals than conservatives.

The Fairness Doctrine existed as a regulation of the Federal Communications Commission from 1949 until 1987.

For the latest updates on the attitudes of Americans, visit the Rasmussen Reports home page.

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