Recent calls for reinstating the so-called "Fairness Doctrine" has prompted members of Congress, talk radio and blogosphere to take action. This morning, Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., spoke to bloggers about recent efforts by congressional Democrats to reinstate the policy.

"I think it's a very serious threat," he told the group of roughly a dozen bloggers. Pence came direct from the floor of the House, after introducing a bill, called The Broadcaster Freedom Act, which "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, and I would encourage my colleagues to cosponsor and support this bill."

Calls for reinstating the Fairness Doctrine have been repeated by several prominent Democrats. Sen. John Kerry recently appeared on WNYC with Brian Lehrer, stating, "I think the Fairness Doctrine ought to be there and I also think equal time doctrine ought to come back." Watch the video of Kerry's interview.

Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois has recently said "It's time to reinstitute the Fairness Doctrine [...] I have this old-fashioned attitude that when Americans hear both sides of the story, they're in a better position to make a decision."

Pence believes Democrats are thinking about how to move their liberal agenda more effectively, and that the Fairness Doctrine to cut their critics in half, or taking their main critics off the air. Even if the Fairness Doctrine was defeated, there's nothing to stop a Democratic president in the future with Democrat appointments to the FCC and a Democratic Congress from reinstating it in the future. "If people in power think they can manage criticism they will do it," Pence told the group of bloggers.