The Fairness Doctrine and Christian Radio

What is even more troubling to Christian talk show hosts is a left-wing movement to use regulatory boards like the FCC to cancel broadcast licenses and to stamp out free speech altogether. Such government power is already being exerted in Europe and Canada, where those at the microphone cannot criticize Islam or homosexuality without risking a blackout.

Says Bruce Fein, the FCC general counsel during the Reagan administration, “The whole purpose of the Fairness Doctrine is to force contrasting views even if it violates the broadcaster’s scruples. The overall objective is to try to make it sufficiently expensive, so it isn’t worth it so I’ll say nothing at all. The alternative is not to have more views but to have fewer.”

The process would work this way: a Muslim group such as the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) or a homosexual rights group such as the American Civil Liberties Union would file a complaint with the FCC because, for example, “Point of View” did not provide a contrasting view.

“For the teaching ministry in today’s culture I think they will be dramatically affected,” Kelley says. “If you have a pastor who talks of salvation through Jesus, then Muslim clerics will want equal time and to force Christian broadcasters to provide time to competing world views and religions.”

Everything in this world reduces to good and evil. The Democrat party... The party of abortion, homosexuality, and everything anti-Jesus... Is behind this. And church people vote for these guys?

Hat tip: peterheck.com

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