NRB ASKS CONGRESS TO PROTECT RELIGIOUS EXPRESSION

 Manassas, VA – January 17, 2000 - In a letter to all members of the United States Congress, National Religious Broadcasters is asking for help in reversing an unconstitutional decision by the Federal Communications Commission suppressing religious speech. In the letter dated January 13, NRB president Brandt Gustavson writes, “If allowed to stand, this new ruling will likely force religious television stations across the country to modify their programming to satisfy the FCC’s new quota and restrictive definition.  NRB believes that the FCC’s discriminatory bias against religious educational and cultural expression is fundamentally at odds with this country’s founding principles.  In particular, we believe that it represents a clear violation of the freedom of religious expression protected by the First Amendment.” He continues, “If you share our concerns over this matter, we encourage you to write the FCC Commissioners and urge them to immediately repeal this most unfortunate and ill-advised policy.”

In its decision (FCC 99-393) regarding an application by NRB member Cornerstone TeleVision in Pittsburgh, PA to move its operation from commercial channel 40 to noncommercial-educational channel 16, the FCC created new guidelines for educational programming singling out religious content for special scrutiny. The new guidelines reject programming “primarily devoted to religious exhortation, proselytizing, or statements of personally held religious views and beliefs” as educational. In a footnote, the FCC also specifically states, “church services generally will not qualify as ‘general education’ programming under our rules.”

Representative Mike Oxley (R-OH) has sponsored legislation to reverse the FCC decision. The bill is rapidly adding co-sponsors and will be formally introduced when the House of Representatives reconvenes later this month. FCC Chairman William Kennard responded to Rep. Oxley’s concerns about the new guidelines in a letter dated January 12. Kennard’s letter states, “The NCE [noncommercial-educational] standards apply only when NCE certification is requested, and do not apply to most religious broadcasters.” The letter further states, “The Commission thus did not single out religious broadcasters, but rather clarified standards applicable to all NCE broadcasters.” Kennard continues, “The Commission’s decision in this case therefore does not establish new rules, but simply clarifies long-standing FCC policy applicable to any broadcaster seeking to use an NCE-reserved channel.”

In response to Chairman Kennard’s letter NRB spokesman Karl Stoll said, “So what if most religious broadcasters operate on commercial channels, does that mean it’s acceptable to restrict religious speech when it only affects a small number? Any thinking person can see it is very obvious in the decision that the FCC established new rules and did indeed single out religious programming for new standards, to say otherwise is dishonest.”

NRB confirms there are at least 15 religious TV stations currently licensed as noncommercial-educational.

National Religious Broadcasters is an association representing more than 1250 Christian communicators. NRB exists to foster media access for the gospel, to promote standards of excellence and integrity, and to provide networking opportunities for its members.

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