Washington - Feb 26, 2009 - In an amendment to a voting rights bill for the District of Columbia, the Senate has approved a measure to prevent the revival of the Fairness Doctrine that was eliminated 20 years ago. Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) introduced the amendment. The ban passed by a vote of 87 to 11.

The Fairness Doctrine was in effect from the 1940s to the 1980s. It required broadcasters to offer multiple points of view on topics.

Ars Technica reports that a similar amendment to the DC House Voting Rights Act has already been introduced in the House by Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN).

President Obama has already said that he opposes the return of the Fairness Doctrine.