comparing the democrats of 1870 to the democrats of today is pointless. back then the democrats were the conservatives. back then Democrats held the south. and it was the south that wanted the anti-miscegenation laws.

it was the modern democrats that passed the civil rights act for example and in so doing lost that southern vote to republicans.(and good riddance)

and republicans don't want the fairness doctrine past because it would put fox news out of business. (their viewers being demonstrably and consistently more misinformed on contentious issues then other news networks)

allowing corporations the continue to lie to the public and call it news is not a freedom loving act. it is akin to some of the first acts dictators throughout history have taken: control the news.