Are you aware of the fact that as of September 19, 2015, five people have officially filed in Annapolis as a Democratic candidate for the United States Senate? I am one of them. Rep. Edwards and Rep. Van Hollen are not included in the five since they have not formally filed for candidacy. If you aren’t aware of this, I’m not surprised.
Here’s why. The media is not fair and the media is not balanced. The media believes what makes for a credible candidate is the amount of money the individual is able to raise. And, the media attaches importance to the political experience the person has. An individual’s Ideas and character are discounted by the media.
Well, I do not engage in raising million of dollars for a campaign because campaign contributions are legalized bribes. I do not take any campaign contributions. Furthermore, I am a teacher; I am not a career politician. My being fed up with crooked politics has translated into a new idea – actually trying to stop the moral bankruptcy in Maryland government and bring ethics into its place.
Since the media is not giving the JAFFE MOVEMENT the attention it merits, I have taken actions. I filed a petition with the Federal Communications Commission.
_____________________________________________________
To: Tom Wheeler, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission
and Members of the Federal Communications Commission
PETITION TO THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
I and the students listed below are requesting that the Federal Communications Commission make the following recommendation to the U.S. Senate Committee of Commerce, Science and Transportation –
The state of affairs now show a need to resurrect the Fairness Doctrine.
The biased, mean-spirited, know-it-all members of the news department of WBAL TV in Baltimore have completely forgotten their ethical responsibility to inform their viewers about the ideas and moral character of ALL citizens running for political office.
One blatant example is Ralph Jaffe’s candidacy for United States Senate. The WBAL TV station has been derelict in its responsibilities to provide the viewers comprehensive information about Ralph Jaffe and the JAFFE MOVEMENT.
This is our complaint against station WBAL TV in Baltimore.
We urge you take our request seriously.
Respectfully,
Ralph Jaffe
(Please note that 4 of the students are African American and all of the students are over age 21.)
Aasya Amaatur-Salaami
Henry Feldman
Janet Goldberg
Brenda Goldfinger
Mark Greben
Freda Jaffe
Margaret Jones
Kenny Klein
Sam Levin
David Neff
Shirley Payne
Diedro Pode
attn: Robert Baker, Assistant Chief Policy Division Media Bureau
Gary Schonman, Assistant to Mr. Baker
cc: Senator Roger Wicker, Chairman of Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee
Andy Green, editor of The Baltimore Sun
John Fritze, writer for The Baltimore Sun
_________________________________________________
To: Tom Wheeler, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission
and Members of the Federal Communications Commission
PETITION TO THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
I and the students listed below are requesting that the Federal Communications Commission make the following recommendation to the United States Senate Committee of Commerce, Science and Transportation –
The state of affairs now show a need to resurrect the Fairness Doctrine.
The biased, mean-spirited, know-it-all members of the news department of WJZ TV in Baltimore have completely forgotten their ethical responsibility to inform their viewers about the ideas and moral character of ALL citizens running for political office.
One blatant example is Ralph Jaffe’s candidacy for United States Senate. The WJZ TV station has been derelict in its responsibilities to provide the viewers comprehensive information about Ralph Jaffe and the JAFFE MOVEMENT.
This is our complaint against station WJZ TV in Baltimore.
We urge you take our request seriously.
Respectfully,
Ralph Jaffe
(Please note that 4 of the students are African American and all of the students are over age 21.)
Aasya Amaatur-Salaami
Henry Feldman
Janet Goldberg
Freda Jaffe
Margaret Jones
Kenny Klein
Sam Levin
Brenda Goldfinger
Shirley Payne
David Neff
Mark Greben
Diedro Pode
attn: Robert Baker, Assistant Chief Policy Division Media Bureau
Gary Schonman, Assistant to Mr. Baker
cc: Senator Roger Wicker, Chairman of Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee
Andy Green, editor of The Baltimore Sun
John Fritze, writer for The Baltimore Sun
__________________________________________________
To: Tom Wheeler, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission
and Members of the Federal Communications Commission
PETITION TO THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
I and the students listed below are requesting that the Federal Communications Commission make the following recommendation to the United States Senate Committee of Commerce, Science and Transportation –
The state of affairs now show a need to resurrect the Fairness Doctrine.
The biased, mean-spirited, know-it-all members of the news department of WMAR TV in Baltimore have completely forgotten their ethical responsibility to inform their viewers about the ideas and moral character of ALL citizens running for political office.
One blatant example is Ralph Jaffe’s candidacy for United States Senate. The WMAR TV station has been derelict in its responsibilities to provide the viewers comprehensive information about Ralph Jaffe and the JAFFE MOVEMENT.
This is our complaint against station WMAR TV in Baltimore.
We urge you take our request seriously.
Respectfully,
Ralph Jaffe
(Please note that 4 of the students are African American and all of the students are over age 21.)
Aasya Amaatur-Salaami
Henry Feldman
Janet Goldberg
Brenda Goldfinger
Mark Greben
Freda Jaffe
Margaret Jones
Kenny Klein
Sam Levin
David Neff
Shirley Payne
Diedro Pode
attn: Robert Baker, Assistant Chief Policy Division Media Bureau
Gary Schonman, Assistant to Mr. Baker
cc: Senator Roger Wicker, Chairman of Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee
Andy Green, editor of The Baltimore Sun
John Fritze, writer for The Baltimore Sun
_____________________________________________________
To: Tom Wheeler, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission
and Members of the Federal Communications Commission
PETITION TO THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
I and the students listed below are requesting that the Federal Communications Commission make the following recommendation to the United States Senate Committee of Commerce, Science and Transportation –
The state of affairs now show a need to resurrect the Fairness Doctrine.
The biased, mean-spirited, know-it-all members of the news department of WRC TV in Washington, D.C. have completely forgotten their ethical responsibility to inform their viewers about the ideas and moral character of ALL citizens running for political office.
One blatant example is Ralph Jaffe’s candidacy for United States Senate. The WRC TV station has been derelict in its responsibilities to provide the viewers comprehensive information about Ralph Jaffe and the JAFFE MOVEMENT.
This is our complaint against station WRC TV in Washington, D.C.
We urge you take our request seriously.
Respectfully,
Ralph Jaffe
(Please note that 4 of the students are African American and all of the students are over age 21.)
Aasya Amaatur-Salaami
Henry Feldman
Janet Goldberg
Brenda Goldfinger
Mark Greben
Freda Jaffe
Margaret Jones
Kenny Klein
Shirley Payne
Sam Levin
David Neff
Diedro Pode
attn: Robert Baker, Assistant Chief Policy Division Media Bureau
Gary Schonman, Assistant to Mr. Baker
cc: Senator Roger Wicker, Chairman of Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee
Andy Green, editor of The Baltimore Sun
John Fritze, writer for The Baltimore Sun
_____________________________________________
To: Tom Wheeler, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission
and Members of the Federal Communications Commission
PETITION TO THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
I and the students listed below are requesting that the Federal Communications Commission make the following recommendation to the United States Senate Committee of Commerce, Science and Transportation –
The state of affairs now show a need to resurrect the Fairness Doctrine.
The biased, mean-spirited, know-it-all members of the news department of WUSA TV in Washington, D.C. have completely forgotten their ethical responsibility to inform their viewers about the ideas and moral character of ALL citizens running for political office.
One blatant example is Ralph Jaffe’s candidacy for United States Senate. The WUSA TV station has been derelict in its responsibilities to provide the viewers comprehensive information about Ralph Jaffe and the JAFFE MOVEMENT.
This is our complaint against station, WUSA TV in Washington, D.C.
We urge you take our request seriously.
Respectfully,
Ralph Jaffe
(Please note that 4 of the students are African American and all of the students are over age 21.)
Aasya Amaatur-Salaami
Henry Feldman
Janet Goldberg
Brenda Goldfinger
Mark Greben
Margaret Jones
Kenny Klein
Sam Levin
David Neff
Shirley Payne
Freda Jaffe
Diedro Pode
attn: Robert Baker, Assistant Chief Policy Division Media Bureau
Gary Schonman, Assistant to Mr. Baker
cc: Senator Roger Wicker, Chairman of Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee
Andy Green, editor of The Baltimore Sun
John Fritze, writer for The Baltimore Sun
__________________________________________________
Addendum to PETITION TO THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
Further insight into the evidence for my claim can be obtained by the following:
*Check the data for the election 2016 in the Maryland State Board of Elections website to determine the number of candidates who have officially filed for US Senate candidacy in Maryland. You’ll find that, as of 8-17-15 Rep. Edwards and Rep. Van Hollen have not even formally filed in Annapolis, and yet the TV stations consistently talk about their comings, goings, and doings. As for the other candidates including myself, the TV stations have failed to provide viewers with any information about them.
*Make a phone call to the TV station, hear for yourself, and ask them specifically how much coverage they have given to the campaigns of Ralph Jaffe or any of the other candidates excluding Rep. Edwards and Rep. Van Hollen.
*Read the letter in the Baltimore Sun entitled, “Where’s the news we need to know about?” 8-17-15. The salient point of this letter strikes a similar chord to my complaint
The criteria that station WUSA TV and the other stations use for determining the seriousness of a candidate revolves around the amount of campaign contributions/bribes the candidate is able to raise. The stations look the other way and refuse to give credence to the ideas and character of the candidate. It is this distorted philosophy that allows career politicians to deceive and con the viewers which in turn denies the viewers the important information they are entitled to about those outside of the Washington circle – the non-career politicians. The end result – corruption in government with morally bankrupt career politicians and a messed up state and country. Is it any wonder that people are fed up? They are fed up with government and they are fed up with the media.
TV stations and newspapers are not properly fulfilling their role in public service, that is to inform and educate the public by providing viewers with ALL the information, not a prejudiced picture of bits and pieces. The TV station has become quite adept in presenting an unfair, unbalanced, and discriminatory reporting of the candidates at the expense of the viewers who are being denied a fair, balanced, and equitable coverage of all who are running for office.
Ralph Jaffe
.___________________________________________________
BRING BACK THE FAIRNESS DOCTRINE – FOLLOW UP
No surprise! My petition fell on deaf ears! Here’s the response of the Federal Communications Commission.
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20554
September 21, 2015
VIA EMAIL TO: rjaffe4@verison.net
Ralph Jaffe
7618 Carla Rd
Baltimore MD 21208
Re: Complaints against: WBAL Hearst Television, Inc., Licensee of Station
WBAL-TV, Baltimore, MD; CBS Television Licenses, LLC, Licensee of Station
WJZ-TV, Baltimore, MD; Scripps Media Inc. Licensee of Station WMAR-TV,
Baltimore, MD; and WUSA-TV, Inc., Licensee of Station WUSA(TV),
Washington, DC
Mr. Jaffe:
This is in response to your complaints against the above-referenced commercial
television stations submitted to the Commission via emails between August 17 and 24, 2015. You allege that the television stations have failed to provide adequate coverage of your candidacy for the office of United States Senator from Maryland.
The commission’s role with respect to program content is very limited. The Commission has stated, “(t)he First Amendment to the United States Constitution and section 326 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, prohibit the Commission from censoring program material and from interfering with broadcasters’ freedom of expression.” 1 As a consequence, the decision as to what may be included in a broadcast news report generally is a matter within the discretion and good faith judgment of each licensee.2
Based on the information that you have provided, we find no basis for taking action against any of the stations referenced above.
Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED, pursuant to Sections 0.61 (c) of the Commission’s Rules,3 your complaint against the referenced television stations ARE DISMISSED.
Sincerely,
Gary Schonman
Special Counsel
Policy Division
Media Bureau
_________________________________________________
1 In the Matter of Complaint Against Various Broadcast Licensees Regarding Their Airing of the UPN
Network Program “Buffy the Vamire Slayer” on November 20, 2001, Memorandum Opinion and Order 19, FCC Red. 15995, 15996 (2004), citing U.S. CONST., amend. 1; and 47 U.S.C.{ 326(2002).
2 See Letter to Richard L. Emge, Esq., et al., from Barbara A. Kreisman, Chief Video Division, Media
Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, 25 FCC Red. 10044 (MB 2010).
3 47 C.F.R. {0.61(c)
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And…..Here’s my response to the TV media
I am sending you the response of the Federal Communications Commission regarding my complaint against your station for unfair coverage of the Jaffe Movement and campaign for the United States Senate.
Please remember I am a teacher, not a politician. My campaign for this office, as well as the previous elections in which I’ve been a candidate, are used as teaching devices to show my students what the corruption is and to give students the opportunity to try to replace the corruption with real, ethical reform.
Your unwillingness to cover the Jaffe Movement has been unfair not only to my students, but also to your entire viewership. You are failing to provide your viewers with all of the facts about all of the individuals seeking the office of U.S. Senate, including myself. Rather, you are injecting station bias by pandering to career politicians who take campaign contributions(bribes) and deceive their constituents.
Obviously, the response from the FCC gives you a right of way to continue your irresponsible coverage. The FCC response gives me just more evidence of the moral bankruptcy so evident in the government and in the media.
Legally, you are in the right, but ethically speaking, there is one principle that should be of major concern to you. The integrity of your station can be at stake if you continue to deny the validity of the Jaffe Movement.
Please note my website, fedupwithcrookedpolitics.com. When you click on the box, Baltimore Sun articles, you will see 65 articles about the JAFFE MOVEMENT, with the most recent being October 20, 2015.
The Baltimore Sun is starting to get it? Will you?
Ralph Jaffe
Teacher and Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate
Baltimore