Letter: Reagan’s policies weakened FCC

Saturday, June 19, 2004 | 12:33 p.m.

WEEKEND EDITION

June 19 - 20, 2004

The facts show that after promising to balance the budget, President Reagan greatly increased defense spending, squandered money on Star Wars and nearly tripled the national debt. He facilitated the enthronement of corporations and beat down labor. He initiated the illegal policy of pre-emptive military attack by sending troops to Grenada and Nicaragua. He arranged the secret illegal sale of weapons to Iran and the illegal transfer of the profits to the Nicaragua rebels.

As a retired journalist, I most lament Reagan's unrelenting attack on the Federal Communications Commission, which was set up as a watchdog to protect the public interest by guarding our free press. He relaxed the requirement that radio stations broadcast a minimum amount of public affairs reporting and consult their local community regarding their needs. He lifted the rule that limited advertising time. In 1987 his administration eliminated the Fairness Doctrine, which required broadcasters to provide contrasting viewpoints on public issues.

Government has continued the Reagan policy, further weakening FCC power until today a handful of purely for-profit media corporations control practically all American sources of news. Analysts have documented how extensively the media corporations slant the news to protect their interests.

Our founding fathers deemed a free press an absolute essential for the functioning of democracy. Alas, our media watchdog has been bruised and battered beyond recognition and is now mocked as well. A Reagan legacy.

ELINOR R. HOLCOMB

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