The media is everywhere you turn. You can find the media in various forms such as television, radio, magazines, newspapers, and now on the information superhighway. In the process of capturing ratings, who is the media harming more? Is it people who are accused of a crime, such as O.J. Simpson, or is it the American public's stupidity for believing everything they hear? Limitations greatly need to placed upon the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution in regard to freedom of the press because presently the media is doing more harm than good.

The attempt to regulate the media came when the Fairness Doctrine was established in 1934. This doctrine was instituted to ensure that publicly owned television and radio stations would not be biased and would promote their own views. The Federal Communications Council (FCC) was established to enforce the doctrine. In 1987 under the Reagan Administration, the Fairness Doctrine was revoked. The role of the FCC changed, therefore evolving to monitor the decency of materials presented on the radio and television (Orr 77). With the abolishment of the Fairness Doctrine, the window for controversial journalists was opened. Thus, America saw the emergence of two strong willed personalities- Rush Limbaugh and Howard Stern.

Over the years, the Supreme Court has heard many cases. In 1964 the Supreme Court heard the case of "The New York Times v. Sullivan". Sullivan claimed that the newspaper had printed inaccuracies about him and was negligent. In the process they ruined his reputation and was liable. This was the first case in which someone could actually fight back against the media (Orr 57).

find the truth and tell it to the people. The media has the power to inform the public, but often the information they receive is distorted. The media has shaped our view of society and the process by which we choose our leaders, make our rules, and construct our values. The media has the power, although indirectly, to encourage people to like or hate the government. The media promotes what it believes is easiest for the public to accept, but in the process it fails to cover the issues adequately. The media can make us wiser, fuller, sure and sweeter than we are. (Orr 61) But, the media can also cloud the public's judgments, and cause confusion and disillusionment as well.

The audience of Rush Limbaugh has grown considerably the over the last five years. Radio stations carrying the Limbaugh Show have increased. In restaurants, there are areas called "The Rush Room" where you can eat and listen to him on the radio. Limbaugh speaks his mind as he constantly puts down democrats, liberals, and anything or anyone who does not share his views. At times the information Limbaugh provides is inaccurate. For example on June 27, 1993 Limbaugh played a tape from June 21, 1993 in which Secretary Lloyd Benson stated that the new Clinton budget plan would bring the stock market down. A proud Limbaugh failed to recognize that on June 27, 1993 the Stock Market, Dow Jones, and NASDAQ index had risen since June 21, 1993 (Shenk 9). Due to the increase in Limbaugh's popularity, he now has both a radio and a television show. His influence on the public was clear in the '94 elections in which the newly elected Congressional majority was Republican. Before the '94 election, members of Congress were fearing Limbaugh's power. In the Senate, a bill referred to as the "Hush Rush" was designed to silence him, although it did not pass(Corry 50).

The United States mass communications systems are entering an era of rapid technological change and the need for policy reform is becoming increasingly apparent. T

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Approximate Word count = 2082
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)