FCC to investigate, 'take appropriate action' on Colbert’s Trump rant

To go on a slight tangent but one I think very relevant here, considering other comments here about the overt politics of late night talk shows, such as another commenter's remark about not recalling previous late night hosts resorting to so many partisan jokes, it seems most people are neither aware of the former FCC's Fairness Doctrine nor its repeal:

>The Fairness Doctrine was a policy of the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC), introduced in 1949, that required the holders of broadcast licenses both to present controversial issues of public importance and to do so in a manner that was — in the Commission's view — honest, equitable, and balanced. The FCC, which was believed to have been under pressure from then President Ronald Reagan, eliminated the Doctrine in 1987. The FCC formally removed the language that implemented the Doctrine, in August of 2011.

Quote taken from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairness_Doctrine

There used to be a requirement for broadcasting companies to make a good faith effort to present all sides of a topic and to actually accomplish that goal to a reasonable degree. I am not sure of the historical origins of that policy, but I imagine it was put in place in recognition of the ability of media to sway public opinion and therefore to what degree it could be abused by powerful players with an agenda.

I am generally against any governmental regulation of how people communicate, but in this case the regulation was not about content, per se, but about the fairness and integrity of our national information delivery channels. I don't know why this was repealed - I keep meaning to research it - but in any case, the repeal of the Fairness Doctrine is a chief causal factor for the state of American media today.

As much as I appreciate Colbert now, as much as I watched and enjoyed the commentary by Stewart, Colbert, and others as political pundits, it is also very clear to me that part of their success in what they do is due to affirmation of political views they share with their viewers - and that that can be (and, in my opinion, has been) overall very detrimental because it has led people to silo their beliefs and become more close minded to hearing opposing viewpoints. Furthermore, the role of such pundits has become that of trading in-depth analysis for entertainment and laughs.

I generally agree with what seem to be Colbert's views and often think he is very sharp and insightful. However, in the context of what I said above and considering how much influence he has, I think that the complaints and investigation discussed in TFA are well-founded.

It seems like every late night comedian doubles as a political commentator these days. Perhaps my memory is hazy but I didn't recall previous late night hosts having to resort to as many partisan jokes for laughs. IMO it's lazy humor that lacks originality and plays on people's hate. Its like making fun of the outcast at school because it's vogue. If we want harmony in this world, we can't go around calling everyone we disagree with a moron.

wow... his comments were pejorative but I think they are or should be protected under free speech. I don't think they were defamatory any more than the president considering mainstream news as 'fake'. And his show is comedic in nature... that should mean something in his defense.

Is saying this about the president really that bad given the alleged Russian ties to the election and the president's overall ... um polarizing policies?

"The only thing your mouth is good at is being [Russian President] Vladimir Putin’s cock holster,"

Over-The-Air (OTA) TV to me is something left far, far behind, somewhere in the mid-aughts. A wasteland of advertising and inferior content compared with what is available online or even on cable.

Kids especially, the ones who are 'protected' by regulations covering OTA TV, aren't interested in OTA TV. That's why OTA TV is programmed for demographics that are approaching or past retirement, and it's why TV companies are talking deals with Snapchat.

Or am I in a bubble?

It's amazing how strongly HN pushes for free speech for Nazis, and racists, and any other unpleasant people. But for a late night talk show host criticizing a terrible president? All I see is "won't anybody think of the children?!"

My complaint is that Colbert's humor reflects wealthy New York values - and he never makes jokes about the actual problems which caused many to vote for Trump (yes, some Trump supporters are racist - but many have real issues with the wealth transfer to the 1% and the myriad consequences of that transfer.) Where are the jokes about hiding billions offshore and avoiding taxes and undermining community values? Colbert, sadly, is part of the problem. Like Trump and Clinton, Colbert thinks he illuminates while he is really only promoting a different set of class values.