Rep. Hansen offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 410.

            A resolution to memorialize Congress to enact the Broadcaster Freedom Act.

            Whereas, A free and independent press must be vigorously defended by those who love liberty; and

            Whereas, Many citizens and organizations are deeply concerned about the so-called "fairness doctrine," the requirement that broadcasters present opposing viewpoints on controversial issues of public importance. Bringing back this requirement to broadcast media would amount to government control over political views expressed on the public airwaves. Government should not be in the business of rationing free speech; and

            Whereas, In a free market, fairness should be determined on the basis of equal opportunity, not equal results. Since the expiration of the fairness doctrine requirement, talk radio has emerged as a dynamic forum for public debate and an asset to the nation; and

            Whereas, If the fairness doctrine is reinstituted, it will place a major financial burden on many small radio stations that currently carry politically oriented programming. Demands to provide equal time may be cost-prohibitive, which may cause some stations not to carry any political programming at all; and

            Whereas, The Broadcaster Freedom Act, H.R. 2905, will prohibit the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from prescribing rules, regulations, or policies that will reinstate the requirement that broadcasters present opposing viewpoints on controversial issues of public importance. The Broadcaster Freedom Act will prevent the FCC or any future President from reinstating the fairness doctrine. This legislation ensures true freedom and fairness will remain on our radio airwaves; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we memorialize Congress to enact H.R. 2905, the Broadcaster Freedom Act, to prevent the Federal Communications Commission from repromulgating the fairness doctrine; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.