Experts Warn on Coral Ridge Hour “Fairness” Doctrine Threatens to Censor Christian Broadcasting

April 17, 2009 - PRLog -- CORAL RIDGE MINISTRIES NEWS


CONTACT:    
Andrew Scott, (954) 334-5332, a.scott@crministries.org



Experts Warn on April 19 Coral Ridge Hour That “Fairness” Doctrine Threatens to Censor Christian Broadcasting



FORT LAUDERDALE, FL. (April 17, 2009) – The April 19 Coral Ridge Hour television broadcast http://www.coralridge.org/medialibrary/default.aspx?mediaID=CRH0916_F warns that a federal regulation to mandate “fairness” on the public airwaves threatens to crush Christian viewpoints and silence the proclamation of the Gospel on our nation’s airwaves.



The Sunday airing of the weekly program from Coral Ridge Ministries examines the FCC’s Fairness Doctrine rule that, in essence, “is a requirement that if you broadcast a controversial viewpoint of significant public importance, you must give time for an opposing viewpoint,” says Dr. Frank Wright, president of the National Religious Broadcasters, on the program.



In effect, the Fairness Doctrine would force Christian broadcasters to avoid controversial issues altogether—such as homosexuality—or require that they air anti-Christian viewpoints.



To discuss the censorship-ladened regulation, experts featured on the Coral Ridge Hour broadcast include Craig Parshall, attorney for the National Religious Broadcasters; his wife, Christian radio personality Janet Parshall; and talk show host Kerby Anderson.  



On the April 19 broadcast, viewers are invited to visit Coral Ridge Ministries’ website to sign a petition in opposition to the Fairness Doctrine.  Also offered on the program is the new book, Not Fair, Not Free: The Fairness Doctrine Campaign to Crush Free Speech, by Coral Ridge Ministries’ senior writer and Washington, D.C., correspondent Robert Knight.
http://store.coralridge.org/ProductDetails.aspx?pc=115445



“The Fairness Doctrine more aptly should be named the ‘Censorship Doctrine,’ since it would usher in a ‘chilling effect’ on broadcast diversity,” Knight writes in the book. “The Fairness Doctrine in any form . . . is a direct threat to freedom of speech and could result in the shutdown of hundreds of conservative and Christian radio programs. Americans who care deeply about the future of their country should work diligently to oppose it.”



“Coming to Our Senses,” a sermon preached by Coral Ridge Ministries’ founder Dr. D. James Kennedy, precedes the television feature. Visit The Coral Ridge Hour station log for TV station listings and times. http://www.coralridge.org/stationfinder/default.aspx?cur=crh




INTERVIEW REQUESTS: To request an interview with Robert Knight, senior writer and Washington, D.C., correspondent for Coral Ridge Ministries, please contact Andrew Scott at a.scott@crministries.org, (954) 334-5332.

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Coral Ridge Ministries (CRM) is a media ministry founded over 30 years ago by Dr. D. James Kennedy. Millions of people tune in daily to our broadcasts on radio, television and Internet to hear the Gospel and gain Biblical insight on contemporary issues.