HJR 32-BROADCASTING INDUSTRY  CHAIR MCGUIRE announced consideration of HJR 32. 9:43:55 AM REPRESENTATIVE BILL STOLTZE, Alaska State Legislature, said HJR 32 is an expression of support for free competition of the airways. Talk radio is a free marketplace of ideas - a phenomenon that came about in the late 1980s after the repeal of the Fairness Doctrine. The doctrine required a station to give equal time to opposite points of view. In a competitive free market, it didn't work. Talk radio frequently discusses new sewers and non-controversial issues. It is acknowledged that this format saved AM radio from oblivion. Craig Johnson referred to is as a dinosaur that doesn't fit in the business model of competitiveness. "The reason this resolution is before you is there are efforts in Congress to express support and to repeal it from different factions." He said Senator Durbin said it will be repealed. There are resolutions too. HJR 32 doesn't address and specific legislation. It purposely didn't address the type of content because there is a lot of biased information. He has only addressed the principle of open and free competition of ideas -- liberal or conservative. That is not relevant, but it becomes part of the larger debate. He has been on the good and bad side of talk radio. It is probably the last unfiltered form. Some folks view it as the most important level of political and social discourse and some see it as entertainment. It is popular with constituents. 9:47:46 AM SENATOR FRENCH asked about the clause on how regulations have caused the broadcasting industry to avoid important issues. REPRESENTATIVE STOLTZE said, "It is just reality prior to the suspension of the Fairness Doctrine … you didn't have the type of political and social discourse radio programming." A programmer is not going to run an uneconomic two-hour program. SENATOR FRENCH surmised that the Fairness Doctrine required programmers to air a counterpoint that listeners weren't interested in, so they would just avoid it in the first place. 9:49:19 AM REPRESENTATIVE STOLTZE said that is the essence of the Fairness Doctrine. SENATOR FRENCH said it strikes him that the radio waves are not limitless. Once the spectrum is awarded, he asked if that owner of a broadcast license has to provide both sides or just use it however they want. REPRESENTATIVE STOLTZE said that had more relevance when radio had more impact, like President Roosevelt's fireside chats. He only gave 12, but it seemed like he did it every week because of how they were viewed. It was a more powerful medium then. SENATOR STEVENS asked if he is opposed to the Fairness Doctrine. REPRESENTATIVE STOLTZE said he is opposed to reinstating it because it is antiquated and doesn't really apply to the radio market that has burgeoned in its absence. 9:52:13 AM SENATOR FRENCH read from Wikipedia: "The Fairness Doctrine was a United States FCC regulation requiring broadcast licensees to present controversial issues of public importance in a manner deemed by the FCC to be honest, equitable, and balanced. The doctrine has since been withdrawn by the FCC and certain aspects of the doctrine have been questioned by the courts." REPRESENTATIVE STOLTZE said there was a Supreme Court case on the enforceability of the doctrine. SENATOR STEVENS moved to report HJR 32 from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). There being no objection, HJR 32 moved from committee. At ease at 9:54:05 AM.