There has been speculation that Lott intends to do something about talk radio by reviving the Fairness Doctrine and since he was a supporter of it in the past, this fear is not groundless. "But Rep. Trent Lott, R-Miss., said the burden on broadcast journalists is minimal.
Meanwhile, Trent Lott's office is downplaying the controversy over his remarks:
'We have unfairness now even with the Fairness Doctrine,' he said. 'Heaven knows what would happen without a Fairness Doctrine.' "
Associated Press, June 3, 1987
Communications Daily
October 26, 1987
Since Reagan's veto of the earlier fairness bill, Hollings and House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman John Dingell (D-Mich.) have vowed to see the doctrine become law by other means. And in case fairness is lifted from reconciliation in the Senate, the lawmakers are said to have a backup. Dingell, reportedly with the blessings of House Speaker Jim Wright (D-Tex.) and minority leaders, Robert Michel (R-Ill.) and Trent Lott (R-Miss.), plans to fasten a fairness amendment to a catch-all spending bill (the continuing budget resolution). The current resolution, which keeps the government operating, expires on Nov. 10, and Reagan would be unlikely to veto such a measure.
Kind of hypocritical, participating and benefiting from talk radio when it would have been shut down if he had his way. Why do Republicans continue to support politicians who want to shut us up?Lott's office is downplaying the uproar over immigration, saying the minority whip wanted to get the Senate to act, not to get talk radio out of the picture. "Sen. Lott is one of the biggest talk radio participants," said Lott spokesman Lee Youngblood. "He's not going to do anything to pull the plug on talk radio."
"He's frustrated over the fact that the Senate is stepping away from trying to do something. He wants to see the Senate produce legislation.
