Religious Broadcasters Urge FCC To Uphold Free Speech.

The National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) is lending its voice to those saying the Federal Communications Commission should continue to use a light touch when it comes to policing what is on the airwaves. In the wake of the Jimmy Kimmel controversy that has put free speech into the headlines, NRB says the FCC needs to uphold its standards “consistently and fairly” across political lines.

“The strength of our democratic republic lies in its openness to diverse voices in the public square, and the government is responsible for allowing space for civil disagreement,” NRB President Troy Miller said. “When one voice is suppressed, all voices are at risk. If viewpoint-based suppression can be directed at mainstream broadcasters today, it could be directed at faith-based broadcasters tomorrow.”

Religious broadcasters are embracing a position that a growing number of Republican lawmakers have also taken in recent days. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) called perceived threats by the FCC against a broadcast owner “dangerous as hell,” predicting such government intervention “will end up bad for conservatives” once Democrats regain power. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) agreed that Cruz “probably got it right” in a social media post, while Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) also called comments made by FCC Chairman Brendan Carr “absolutely inappropriate” during an appearance on “Meet the Press.”

Likely, the vast majority of NRB members don’t agree with Kimmel’s statements that led to his suspension by ABC-TV, but General Counsel Michael Farris says the NRB has the larger, long-term implications of any government intervention front of mind. They believe the Commission has the opportunity to maintain an environment where disagreement can exist without coercion.

“Ultimately, it is the FCC’s job to ensure that ‘broadcasting in the public interest’ is defined in a way consistent with the First Amendment,” said Farris. “Imbalance alone should never serve as grounds for silencing a broadcaster. If that were the standard, Christian radio and television would be at risk, as they rightly take strong positions without providing equal time to opposing viewpoints. The role of government is to safeguard speech, not restrict it.”

The National Association of Broadcasters has also gone on the record saying it too believes the ability of broadcasters to make editorial decisions free from government influence is an American fundamental right.

“This week’s celebration of First Amendment Day is not just symbolic. It is a reminder that the ability of local broadcasters to speak without fear of intimidation or interference is essential for the health of our democracy,” NAB President Curtis LeGeyt said in a blog post.

Carr defended his comments at an investor conference on Monday, saying critics are “completely misrepresenting” what he said. But even as Kimmel’s show returned to the air on most ABC affiliates Tuesday night, some believe the Trump administration will continue to put pressure on broadcasters.

Veteran telecom attorney Walter McCormick — who earlier led the broadband industry’s trade association — told members of the Federal Communications Bar Association that he planned to skip the organization’s annual Chairman’s Dinner in order to avoid the appearance of condoning government actions intended to chill political speech.

“I consider it to be a dangerous perversion of the public interest standard to interpret it as permitting a federal agency to threaten broadcast licenses based upon its assessment of the propriety of the argument being made, or to condition merger approvals on concessions that have either the purpose or effect of personally enriching the President or eliminating programming that is critical of him,” McCormick said in a LinkedIn post. He said many attorneys who work with the FCC are unable to speak freely out of fear of retribution for themselves or their clients. And that, McCormick added, underscores the “precariousness” of the moment.