Surprisingly Mixed Poll for the Fairness Doctrine (Or Why I Hate Polls)

The latest Rasmussen poll produces mixed results about the manner in which the U.S. public views the Fairness Doctrine.

Nearly half of Americans (47%) believe the government should require all radio and television stations to offer equal amounts of conservative and liberal political commentary, but they draw the line at imposing that same requirement on the Internet. Thirty-nine percent (39%) say leave radio and TV alone, too.

At the same time, 71% say it is already possible for just about any political view to be heard in today’s media, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Twenty percent (20%) do not agree.

So a fairly solid plurality thinks we should have the Fairness Doctrine, however an overwhelming majority also thinks that the Fairness Doctrine is unnecessary bcause most view points can already find their way to radio and television. My only reaction is huh.

Was this poll asked of the same people? How can a plurality of folks believe the government should mandate the Fairness Doctrine while at the same time an overwhelming majority believes it is unnecessary? If ever there were confusing and peculiar results in a poll it was this one. Furthermore, the poll gets even more confusing with this result.

Fifty-seven percent (57%) say the government should not require websites and blog sites that offer political commentary to present opposing viewpoints. But 31% believe the Internet sites should be forced to balance their commentary

So, while folks think that government should force balance onto television and radio, they don't want it on the internet. Again, I say huh. What if the same folks that answered the first question were also asked the so called slippery slope caveat. In other words, if regulating radio and television could ultimately lead to regulation of the internet and other media, how many folks would still be in favor of the Fairness Doctrine?

Frankly, these results are shocking to me. First, I always assumed that the Fairness Doctrine polled very well. Clearly, these results point to some evidence of mixed results. To me at least, the Fairness Doctrine is nothing more than censorship cloaked in the wool of "fairness and balance". I would be curious why the 49% believes in it.