The Broadcaster Freedom Act

Theres a renewed push on Capitol Hill to pass legislation that would keep the troubling Fairness Doctrine from being reinstated.  As you recall, the FCC thankfully discarded the Fairness Doctrine in 1985 a regulatory measure that required all broadcasters to present opposing views on controversial political issues.

Now, theres new interest in bringing back the Fairness Doctrine a measure that ultimately would give federal officials the authority to tell broadcasters including Christian broadcasters what to air.   The fact is a return to the Fairness Doctrine is a dangerous effort that could cripple Christian broadcasting.

We have many allies on this issue in Congress.  Representative Mike Pence of Indiana and Representative Greg Walden of Oregon have taken an especially strong stand against the reinstatement of the Fairness Doctrine.  They have introduced the Broadcaster Freedom Act, which would permanently prohibit the FCC or any future President from reinstating the Fairness Doctrine.  Our Government Affairs team has mobilized to assist with this important legislation. 

In a Capitol Hill news conference yesterday, some important information as this measure continues to gain support.  The Broadcaster Freedom Act is tied up in the House.  Simply put, if Congressmen Pence and Walden get 218 signatures, they can bring it to the House floor, bypassing committee, for an up-or-down vote.  That's crucial.  Now there are 195 names on that discharge petition.  We're closing in - just 23 votes short. 

But here's why we have to act quickly.

There's limited time available to get this legislation to the floor for a vote.  In two weeks, Congress adjourns for the July 4th recess.  After being gone for two weeks, they will return for four weeks before the August recess.  The fact is that since this is an election year legislative activity on Capitol Hill will come to a crawl after Labor Day. That being the case, we have a very limited window in which to get the Broadcaster Freedom Act to the House floor and get it passed.

In the Spotlight section, I have posted the petition to Congress and if you haven't done so already, please add your name to this Discharge Petition.  At the same time, there's a list of House members of who have yet to support the Discharge Petition.  If you have a House member on that list, please contact them immediately and urge them to take the appropriate action.

We know that if the Broadcaster Freedom Act is not passed, there's a real possibility that the Fairness Doctrine - which would cripple Christian broadcasting - would return. 

Consider these statements from members of Congress:

Its time to reinstitute the Fairness Doctrine, said Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.). I have this old-fashioned attitude that when Americans hear both sides of the story, theyre in a better position to make a decision.

Senate Rules Committee Chairwoman Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) said she planned to look at the legal and constitutional aspects of reviving the Fairness Doctrine.  I believe very strongly that the airwaves are public and people use these airwaves for profit, she said. But there is a responsibility to see that both sides and not just one side of the big public questions of debate of the day are aired and are aired with some modicum of fairness.

It is important to get the Broadcaster Freedom Act to the House floor for a vote.  You can stay in touch with this issue and other key legislative and legal efforts through our website and through our daily radio broadcast, Jay Sekulow Live!