[wizardishungry]

Holy Libertarian hyperbole:

He convinces the FCC to require right-wing channels to link to left-wing channels, Christian channels to link to Muslim channels, vegetarian channels to link to meat-eating channels. "The [linking] icon itself would not require anyone to read anything," Sunstein writes. "It would merely provide a signal, to the viewer, where a different point of view might be consulted." The FCC approves Sunstein's plan for a "Fairness Doctrine" for the online world, and the FCC sets up a new Bureau of Links to enforce the practice.

[gojomo]

The FCC once did enforce a 'fairness doctrine' on broadcasters, and some Democrats occasionally discuss bringing it back.

Meanwhile, some jurisdictions (moreso in Europe) have considered creating a government-enforced 'right of reply', forcing websites to link to opposing viewpoints. And Obama advisor Sunstein has at times advocated (but wisely pulled back from) the same cross-linking and 'sidewalks' mandates that Shafer imagines being implemented:

http://techliberation.com/2009/01/08/what-impact-will-cass-s...

So Shafer's scenario isn't that far-fetched.