Muzzling talk radio?

NOTE: This is a very interesting opinion about the "Fairness Doctrine". Post your thoughts by clicking "comments" below.

DALLAS (BP)--The buzz on Capitol Hill about reinstating a "fairness" regime for radio brings to mind all sorts of possibilities. Perhaps a syndicated daily talk program co-hosted by Rush Limbaugh and Al Franken. Another interesting pair might be Laura Ingraham and Janeane Garofalo.

Stations could provide "balance" to Richard Land's radio programs by airing shows hosted by atheists like Richard Dawkins or Christopher Hitchens. Or maybe blandness would work: Bill Bennett's "Muzak in the Morning" featuring home decorating and gardening tips.

Franken and Garofalo are the biggest names featured on Air America, the liberal talk network that was forced to file bankruptcy last year and is attempting a re-launch. But so far, few Americans are tuning in. A group headed by former Clinton White House Chief of Staff John Podesta has the stats to prove that liberal or "progressive" radio can't thrive like conservative talk. The Center for American Progress studied news/talk programming on 257 stations owned by the top five commercial station owners.

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