Religious Broadcasters Fear Fairness Doctrine Return
NRB said that it was "girding itself for a major battle over broadcasting freedoms"
By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 1/12/2009 2:09:00 PM
Religious broadcasters have major concerns about the new administration, warning members they see a possible return of the fairness doctrine, hate crimes legislation and other potential game changers.
While the National Religious Broadcasters said it supported recently-introduced bills to block reimposition of the doctrine, it also said in an announcement Monday that it was prepared to go to court, lobby Congress, or take its message to the public, which would suggest the electronic pulpit.
Sounding a little like David preparing for Goliath, the NRB said that it was "girding itself for a major battle over broadcasting freedoms." That came as the group prepared for its annual meeting next month in Nashville.
Warning of an "impending flood tide" of attacks, NRB General Counsel Craig Parshall listed those attacks: "reinvigoration of the so-called ‘fairness doctrine’; speech-suppression masquerading as hate-crimes legislation; employment regulations leaving little or no room for faith-based hiring decisions; and FCC regulations that would invade programming content decisions, such as localism mandates, adverse definitions of the ‘public interest’ obligation, and media reform rules that could disfavor Christian broadcasters."
Religious broadcasters have long
been concerned that reimposing the fairness doctrine
, which required broadcasters to air both sides of controversial issues. One of the concerns about speech restrictions, either affirmative like the doctrine or restrictive like regulations on hate speech or even indecency, is that they cut both ways.
The Fairness Doctrine, for instance, would require a broadcaster preaching about the evils of temptation to make airtime available to those preaching the virtues of sin, or indecency could depend on what kind of speech the reigning political majority found offensive.
, like preaching on morals and values that might not square with some powerful politicians, say opposing homosexuality or branding Islam a false religion.
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The left already has enough, "fairness" just turn the TV on. Religous braodcasters are a small bunch, leave them alone.
Christopher Alan - 1/15/2009 6:22:00 PM EST -
We do not fear for ourselves, but for the ones who are lost. Liberals have the majority voice in this country.That is why America is becoming or really has become a lost nation. Without our voices(christain)more Americans would be lost. You need to hear God's words to fill the empty place in your soul. If only you hear the words of the world you would be lost. God is love and he loves everyone. Just because we speak against evil does not mean we hate.
Susan Register - 1/15/2009 10:05:00 AM EST -
"Religious broadcasters have long been concerned that reimposing the fairness doctrine, which required broadcasters to air both sides of controversial issues."
What is the concern? This sentence makes no sense. They have been concerned that reimposing the fairness doctrine would do WHAT? It's an unfinished snetence. Go back to school and learn how the English language works!
Gregory Lawless - 1/15/2009 9:48:00 AM EST -
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ElectSake - 1/14/2009 7:22:00 PM EST -
Oh, please. These people have had full White House access and their way totally for the last eight years - witness the endless faith-based nonsense we've had foisted off on the public at billions in taxpayer expense.
Enough is enough. ALL the religious right's candidates lost, remember? They need to suck it up, re-examine their priorities and message of exclusionary hate, and join the rest of America.
And if they can't do that, they need to just shut the hell up and take their defeat like the supposed Christians they are.
Doug Dingle - 1/13/2009 2:58:00 PM EST
