There is no right more inseparable from the American ideal than free speech.  The most important difference between the United States and repressive, totalitarian regimes is the right of any citizen to voice his or her opinions, regardless of what those opinions are.

In the interest of permanently stopping the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from unfairly restricting religious programming, I was a strong supporter of the Non-commercial Broadcasting Freedom of Expression Act (H.R. 4201), which passed the House of Representative by a vote of 264-159 on June 20, 2000.  The Act allows for free expression by noncommercial educational (NCE) television stations by amending air time requirements to include religious content in the category of acceptable programming for the portion of the station’s broadcast that must be devoted to the betterment of the viewing public.

This legislation was introduced in response to action by the FCC that sought to limit the Constitutionally guaranteed right of free speech in its licensing process.  On December 15, 1999, the FCC adjusted its guidelines for NCE television licenses so that broadcasters holding noncommercial licenses could not count religious broadcasts toward the required 50 percent of air time devoted to “educational, instructional or cultural needs of the community.”

Such a ruling is obviously contrary to freedom from content-based censorship and immediately came under heavy criticism.  In response to the public outcry over the ruling, the FCC was forced to rescind the order shortly after its release.

I feel that leaving legal loopholes open for further abuses would be tempting future repression by the FCC.  The most important advantage of the Non-Commercial Broadcasting Freedom of Expression Act is its prohibition of content-based restrictions by the FCC.  If this bill is signed into law, the federal government would no longer dictate to NCE stations what is and is not educational.  Stations would have the freedom to broadcast programming they feel is appropriate without anyone looking over their shoulder.

This is the freedom our forefathers fought to gain, and Congress owes it to the American people.  The fight for the freedom of speech is one of Congress’s most important duties.  H.R. 4201 will prevent the FCC from limiting free speech, and allow television stations and listeners to choose what programs they broadcast and view based on their individual preferences.  This choice is every person’s right in a free society, a right that no agency is empowered to take away.