George Bush rarely makes reference to media policy, but he did yesterday, attacking Congressional attempts to restore what used to be called the fairness doctrine. The fairness doctrine had roughly the same effect as the due impartiality rules enforced by Ofcom. Here is a portion of Bush’s remarks (the full speech is here):

‘[T]here’s an effort afoot that would jeopardize your right to express your views on public airways. Some members of Congress want to reinstate a regulation that was repealed 20 years ago. It has the Orwellian name called the Fairness Doctrine. Supporters of this regulation say we need to mandate that any discussion of so-called controversial issues on the public airwaves includes equal time for all sides. This means that many programs wanting to stay on the air would have to meet Washington’s definition of balance. Of course, for some in Washington, the only opinions that require balancing are the ones they don’t like. (Laughter and applause.)

We know who these advocates of so-called balance really have in their sights: shows hosted by people like Rush Limbaugh or James Dobson, or many of you here today. By insisting on so-called balance, they want to silence those they don’t agree with. The truth of the matter is, they know they cannot prevail in the public debate of ideas. They don’t acknowledge that you are the balance; that you give voice — (applause.) The country should not be afraid of the diversity of opinions. After all, we’re strengthened by diversity of opinions.’

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The Ofcom regulations on due impartiality, of course, are not very converged — they do not cover the internet or the press. Accordingly, in the U.K., there is a much more vibrant exchange of ideas on websites such as the Guardian’s Comment is Free than there is on BBC Newsnight or similar current affairs programmes.