Congressman Michael G. Oxley Fourth Ohio District OXLEY STATEMENT ON THE CORNERSTONE BROADCASTING DECISION   January 19, 2000  Cornerstone Broadcasting today took a principled stand and ended its four-year effort to acquire WQED's non-commercial television license.  I commend Cornerstone for its refusal to yield to the FCC's marching orders.
 
Sadly, Cornerstone viewed part of the FCC's order as limiting its mission of broadcasting Christian educational programming.   I believe this is the correct view, that the FCC's misguided "guidance" as articulated in the order would force Cornerstone to suppress the Christian programming it seeks to broadcast.
 
I was and continue to be alarmed by the FCC's action and the implications it holds for religious broadcasters and, indeed, all broadcasters and all Americans.  If it's non-commercial television licensees restricted today, will it be commercial licensees or radio stations tomorrow?  If it's religious expression suppressed today, will it be political speech next?  The FCC staff dismissed the legitimate concerns about the order by saying it only affected a small group of 15 or so broadcasters.  I find this a stunningly cavalier attitude toward the free speech rights of these Americans.
 
Shock jocks and obscene lyrics are broadcast every day in our nation, and ironically the FCC chose to single out programming that expresses faith for increased scrutiny.
 
Even though Cornerstone has withdrawn, the FCC's order still stands.  It contains a new FCC policy that is having and will continue to have a chilling effect on religious broadcasters.  I will, of course, proceed with my planned introduction of the Religious Broadcasting Freedom Act on January 24 to try to reverse the FCC order and restore full freedom of religious expression.
 
Given the FCC's recent action, I find it odd that President Clinton declared January 16 Religious Freedom Day. more Speeches, Statements, and Letters - home