Congressman Michael G. Oxley Fourth Ohio District OXLEY/HALL INTRODUCE RELIGIOUS BROADCASTING FREEDOM ACT WITH 50 ORIGINAL COSPONSORS  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JANUARY 24, 2000
 
WASHINGTON -- Backed by 50 original cosponsors, U.S. Rep. Michael G. Oxley (R-Findlay) today introduced the Religious Broadcasting Freedom Act to reverse an action taken by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in December that limits religious speech in broadcasting.  Congressman Ralph Hall (D-TX) is the lead Democrat on the bipartisan legislation.
 
"Once the government starts approving and regulating content, there will be no end," Oxley said.  "We must reverse this decision through legislative action, because religious speech is at the foundation of the First Amendment."
 
Oxley's bill would nullify the "guidance" on this issue contained in FCC Order #99-393, made public December 29, 1999.  Additionally, it would require the FCC to use its normal rulemaking procedures, which include taking public comment, if it chooses to regulate this area in the future.
 
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 as having its primary purpose be to meet "educational, instructional or cultural needs of the community."  In the order, the FCC instructed for the first time that traditional religious programming could no longer be counted as educational.
 
Reps. Chip Pickering (R-MS), Steve Largent (R-OK), and Cliff Stearns (R-FL) were the first members to sign onto the new legislation.  Early this year, they joined Oxley in signing a letter to the FCC protesting the decision.
 
Oxley's office is receiving telephone calls and e-mails by the hundreds from Americans who support the legislation. more News Releases - home