Block Return of Fairness Doctrine
Its been a very interesting week in
There are troubling signs pointing to a Congressional push to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine, a dangerous measure that would muzzle talk radio - including Christian talk radio and shows like Jay Sekulow Live!
Even one of the Commissioners of the Federal Communications Commission issued a warning this week. Robert McDowell warned that there might be an effort to disguise a new Fairness Doctrine. If your brand is controversial, he said, make a new brand. He also said the measure might not wear the same label acknowledging that a rebranding is likely to occur.
Just days ago, President Obama lashed out at conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh telling Republican lawmakers that they cant just listen to Rush Limbaugh and get things done. And, then came an online petition from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee targeting Limbaugh.
All of this, of course, comes at a time when the Fairness Doctrine is on the minds of many lawmakers. In a recent news report, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi affirmed her support for a Fairness policy and Sen. Jeff Bingaman, (D-N.M.) told a radio host: I would want this station and all stations to have to present a balanced perspective and different points of view, instead of always hammering away at one side of the political [spectrum].
The fact is that there are those in Congress who have mobilized to protect free speech on the airwaves. Now, the Broadcaster Freedom Act of 2009 has been introduced in both the House and Senate; and once again, the need to move forward with this legislation is very apparent.
A return of the Fairness Doctrine would be devastating to Christian broadcasters by putting the federal government in charge of telling broadcasters what to air. Such a move would put the federal government in control of dictating the content of whats aired. Thats precisely why the Broadcaster Freedom Act is so important.
The Broadcaster Freedom Act of 2009 was introduced yesterday into the House (H.R. 226) and Senate (S. 34) by Congressman Mike Pence (R-IN), Chairman of the House Republican Conference, Congressman Greg Walden (R-OR), Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC), Chairman of the Senate Steering Committee, and Senator John Thune (R-SD), Vice Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference. The DeMint-Thune Senate bill has 24 co-sponsors, and the Pence-Walden bill in the House already has more than 100 co-sponsors.
We already have heard from thousands who support free speech and are urging passage of the Broadcaster Freedom Act. If you havent signed on to our petition yet, please do so right now. You can add your name here.
Protecting free speech and the ability of Christian talk radio to examine the issues that matter most without government interference is essential. And, thats why the Broadcaster Freedom Act is needed.