January 19, 2000
FCC ruling would
restrict religious programming
___By Todd Starnes
___Baptist Press
___NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--A coalition of religious broadcasters, politicians and special-interest groups has mobilized to fight a new ruling by the Federal Communications Commission that would restrict non-commercial TV stations from airing religious programs.
___The decision ruled that broadcasts "primarily devoted to religious exhortation, proselytizing or statements of personally held religious views or beliefs" are restricted under the FCC's educational programming licenses. More than 125 non-commercial television broadcasters may be affected by the decision.
___Specifically, the FCC said broadcasters must devote 50 percent of their regularly scheduled air time to educational programs. The commission also said church services would not qualify as educational programming, unless the service was the funeral of a national leader.
___"We are preparing a strategy to fight this ruling," said National Religious Broadcasters spokesman Karl Stoll. "NRB considers this a matter of high priority, and we are considering various legal options.
___"The net result will be less preaching of the gospel, less programming of church services. This decision presents a real danger to freedom of religious expression and raises a lot of constitutional questions."
___Bud Paxson, chairman of Paxson Communications Corp., which operates religious-oriented stations, said the commission's decision is a blatant violation of free speech.
___"This is a very big deal," Paxson said. "It not only affects television stations, but 400 non-commercial radio stations. It affects every commercial broadcaster who carries a church service."
___U.S. Rep. Michael Oxley, R-Ohio, unveiled legislation Jan. 11 that would reverse the FCC's decision.
___"In our free society, the FCC has no business suppressing the expression of religious belief," Oxley said. "I know the FCC will try to put a good face on this action, but the simple truth is the commission is restricting those who express faith. This is wrong, and it cannot stand."
___Oxley joined Reps. Steve Largent, Chip Pickering and Cliff Stearns in a letter written to Vice President Al Gore and FCC Chairman William Kennard protesting the decision.
___"This was an arrogant overreach by the FCC," Pickering said. "We cannot afford to let this ruling stand. There is no place for the government to place value on religious expression."
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