Jones (NC03) - Press Release - Congressman Jones Backs Bill to Protect Religious Speech on Television


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CONTACT: KIMBERLY NIELSEN
January 25, 2000	(202) 225-3415

CONGRESSMAN JONES BACKS BILL TO PROTECT RELIGIOUS SPEECH ON TELEVISION Bill Would Reverse Recent FCC Ruling

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Walter B. Jones (R-NC) today announced his support of legislation that would reverse an action taken by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to limit religious speech in broadcasting. “The FCC’s ruling is unconstitutional and wrong,” Jones said. “This is a classic example of big government making decisions based on what it thinks is good for America. Unfortunately, this time the federal government has gone too far in its effort to stifle religious speech.” The Religious Broadcasting Freedom Act, introduced by Congressman Michael Oxley (R-OH), would invalidate an FCC decision made public on Dec. 29. In accordance with FCC Order 99-393, noncommercial broadcasters that are seeking licenses reserved for educational TV channels are required to devote half of their regularly scheduled airtime to educational programs. The FCC stated for the first time that some traditional religious programming might not qualify as educational programming under the decision. Non-commercial television licenses are intended to serve the educational and cultural needs of smaller audiences and under-represented populations. General education programming had previously been defined to meet “educational, instructional or cultural needs of the community.” The legislation would also require the FCC to use its normal rulemaking procedures, which includes taking public comment, if it chooses to regulate this area in the future.

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