Fcc Proposals Could Silence Christian Radio Stations !

[spvideo]

Save Christian Radio

Save Christian Radio

Tell the FCC to keep FREE SPEECH FREE
and not to tamper with Christian and religious programming!
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The FCC is considering rule changes that could force Christian radio stations to either modify their messages or be forced from the air.

Although not directed specifically at those using the airwaves to disseminate the Good News of the Gospel, potential rule changes could put Christian Broadcasters in an untenable position. If enacted, the proposals could force Christian radio programmers to either compromise their messages by including input from those who don’t share the same values, or to run the risk of costly, long and potentially ruinous government inquiries.



The First Amendment protects the free exercise of religion. The government must not be allowed to impose rules that violate it.
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Christian Radio needs your support now to keep its message of salvation strong on the nation’s airwaves. It’s not just a Christian thing – everyone’s fundamental constitutional rights are at stake.
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For those who support Sky Angel or any Christian Broadcasting station in radio or television and through any distribution method (satellite, IPTV, Internet, TV & Radio Broadcast) This is something that has an impact on us all. Regardless of how you receive the station. It may be a major factor which drove Sky Angel to IPTV and not just the financial issues. They may have been trying to get one step ahead of this type of FCC interference. Sky Angel may be free of FCC interference as a distribution format going through the internet which is not regulated; however most of the Christian stations they offer which are also offered through other outlets are not safe from interference. This type of attack on Chistian Broadcasting would have A huge ripple effect. A lot of the talk on this board is about Sky Angel cost in dollars and cents. There is a greater cost if the freedom to broadcast this programming without censorship is incured. If they are going after radio I would bet that television will be next. Please look into this. I believe the FCC is taking feedback until the end of April. Please get involved if you care about this issue.

Save Christian Radio
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[digiblur]

Can you explain more?

No. I didnt go to the links either since I am browsing on my phone.

 

[spvideo]

More Info

This was taken from:

Air 1, The Positive Alternative


Your Opinion Counts

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) & U.S. Congress wants your opinion regarding proposed rule changes.

Comments are due April 28, 2008

Thank you for taking the time to comment on these proposed rule changes that would adversely affect your Air 1 station. The time you invest in this could keep Christian radio strong. Here is some additional information about what is happening and why your opinion counts.
While the FCC is considering these rule changes, at the moment nothing is "set in stone" as they await public comment. If any of these changes were adopted, there would be significant impact on our ability to minister to you and your community. These rules would not only affect our stations but also thousands of stations around the country. These rule changes could:

1. Require Community Advisory Boards: One board overseeing all broadcasters in that area. Appointed individuals who may not be friendly to the Christian mission of the station.
2. Require Additional Staffing: Adding tens of thousands of dollars in additional monthly expense to each affected station (even including some of our smaller facilities which ultimately might force us to leave the air in some areas).
3. Force Many of Our Translator Stations Off The Air: This rule would give priority to many new Low Power FM stations (LPFM) rather than existing translator stations. This means many of our translators would no longer be able to carry Air 1 programming.

When making a comment, we recommend starting with a statement about the importance of Air 1's programming to you, your family and your local community. The FCC is interested in how our stations are currently serving and impacting local areas.
Then, make specific comments regarding the above-mentioned items of which we oppose and hope that you do as well.
Again, thank you for letting the FCC know your feelings.
To begin, please click on the link below:
>>> savechristianradio.com <<<
NOTE: The destination of the above link shows a deadline of April 14, 2008. The deadline has been extended by the FCC and you may now submit your comments until April 28, 2008.

 

[digiblur]

I still don't see what the FCC is trying to do...

 

[spvideo]

It could call for balenced content and limit channel redistribution

I believe it is a product of trying to enforce a fairness doctrine for opposing points of view; relating to conservative talk radio and religious broadcasts. Also trying to break up Monopoly media outlets by reducing the amount of content rebroadcast or syndicated to multiple markets by one outlet. Which has some good points I guess.

Basically they desire to mandate balanced content from the primary broadcast. This would mean that Christian radio stations may have to offer opposing points of view. They also may be required to reduce or eliminate rebroadcast of this programming to sister stations rebroadcasting the feed in other areas. So the content would be under scrutiny and the ability to transmit to multiple markets with the same feed could be in jeopardy.

 

[TNGTony]

Could some one just post the FCC proposed order? I feel that this is a little overblown.

See ya
Tony

 

[genemcd]

Could some one just post the FCC proposed order? I feel that this is a little overblown.

See ya
Tony

Here's the link to the FCC proposal:

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-07-218A1.pdf

First Sky Angel DBS goes bye-bye and now this. I've been hearing for 30+ years about one alarmist announcement after another where supposedly some atheistic group is trying to do away with Christian radio and how we should write to the FCC and protest. They turn out to be hoaxes most of the time, but this time...quite frankly, if EMF Broadcasting (K-Love, Air-1) is concerned...there's got to be something to it. The EMF folks are reputable people who know what they're doing, they know what's going on, and they are not alarmists. If they're blowin' the alarm - something's going on!

I'm kind of surprised that the FCC is targeting multiple issues in one report. Translator rebroadcasting AND opposing viewpoints in one report?! Whoever produced this - it does look they have an agenda all right.

If this goes through, will the Christian Church get to have a Mr. Rogers clone go to the gangster rap radio stations and talk about the ramifications of following through on the advice of their music?! I dunno - maybe it'll be worth it! Don't get me wrong - I do not think that this report is a good thing...but scanning the radio stations - I think that the atheistic lifestyle runs about 80-90% of the radio waves now anyway. If this gets through - are THEY going to let THEIR 'opponents' have "equal time?!"

I think the real winner if this thing goes through will be satellite radio! This will mess up OTA radio big-time!

 

[TNGTony]

Let's not lump Sky Angel into this please.

Sky Angel went away from satellite of their own volition. They chose to sell their licenses to Dish. They are the ones that did not meet FCC guidelines but were granted special exemptions by the FCC; not once, but on 5 separate occasions. Sky Angel failed to meet milestones every time they were set, but were still granted licenses. Lets not blame the FCC for Sky Angel. This was Dominion's doing and no one else's!

I'll take a look at the link in question. Thanks!

See ya
Tony

 

[spvideo]

Concern over intended or unintended consequesces

Sorry if my theory came across too strong. This may have been considered somewhere in the mix when Sky Angel was having difficulties maintaining and retaining the satellite platform as a side issue.

The present proposals "might" impact radio stations rebroadcast by SA if this new regulation is adopted in the present form. Either with intended or unintended consequences. I'm not blaming the FCC. But correct me if I am wrong. Under the IPTV platform what regulation from the FCC is Dominion under now other then the regulation on the channels themselves which are rebroadcast under the platform and retransmitted through the internet through IPTV. Obviously Angel 1 & 2 and KTV are.

The only reason I lump Sky Angel into this is because it is designed to filter out points of view which go against the Gospel. If equal time for opposing points of view are required to be provided then what's the point in getting SA. Maybe other points of view could start their own IPTV outlets and we could see how many people a willing to pay $15 a month to hear them. Other points of view get lots of airtime on other platforms. I believe these proposals have good intentions to break up monopoly media ownership and create room for opposing points of view but it could adversely impact Religious broadcasts.

I don't want to argue the whole Sky Angel back story again. Right or wrong it is finished. The battle to protect the content sources for SA or any other religious broadcasting platform or content provider is what's at hand.

The IPTV distribution platform protects distribution of the content for the moment without interference I believe. The content providers though which originate from other various sources are under the regulation of the FCC. That is the correlation I believe I wanted to make. Hopefully this issue can be settled to be accommodating to all parties involved.

Thanks for looking into it. Sorry if I was rambling on and on. I'm just encouraging others to be aware of this.

 

[digiblur]

I skimmed through the FCC thing a bit before I got bored with it... anyone have a quick non-slanted summary? From what I saw it wasn't bad at all, it was having the stations work the community.

 

[Scroll]

I believe it is a product of trying to enforce a fairness doctrine for opposing points of view; relating to conservative talk radio and religious broadcasts. Also trying to break up Monopoly media outlets by reducing the amount of content rebroadcast or syndicated to multiple markets by one outlet. Which has some good points I guess.

Basically they desire to mandate balanced content from the primary broadcast. This would mean that Christian radio stations may have to offer opposing points of view. They also may be required to reduce or eliminate rebroadcast of this programming to sister stations rebroadcasting the feed in other areas. So the content would be under scrutiny and the ability to transmit to multiple markets with the same feed could be in jeopardy.

I suppose taken to an extreme that could also mean that "in fairness" kids only channels like Quebo have to offer some soft core porn content. Makes about as much sense to me as telling an all religious broadcaster it has to air opposing content. Seems to me like the government is again trying to fulfill a need that doesn't exist on one hand and paint with a broad brush to change a free market issue on the other.

For example efforts like Air American and Greenstone Media (an all women's issues network) failed not because conservative & religious broadcasters hogged the bandwidth but because too few people give a care about the specific biased content. So liberals apparently are going to an extreme with a plea to the FCC to not only allow the minority point of view but to insist upon it.

OTOH small local radio stations are losing market share to large syndication corporations and with other alternatives people are also listening to OTA radio less & less all the time in general anyway. So even if successful in breaking up mega media syndication and forcibly returning more control to local origination programming who's even going to be listening? But I find it odd that on the one hand they consider measures like this in the name of competition while allowing the merger of XM & Sirius to create a satellite radio monopoly.

 

[genemcd]

Let's not lump Sky Angel into this please.

Sorry 'bout that! - It was a personal reflection. I'm just kind of fatigued because if you happen to have an appreciation for Christian radio like I do, there hasn't been much good news for the last year or so. Sky Angel's change in direction has a lot to do with that.

 

[TNGTony]

I think this is an over reaction and a gross misinterpretation to the FCC trying to return radio to local roots. This ruling does NOT mean that a local religious station with local programming by local preachers and local DJs have to do anything. It is to prevent radio stations from importing 100% (or a large percentage) of their programming and have no local content. The local content has to reflect the needs of the local community. It does NOT mean that you have to have Howard Stern. It means you have to have local content.

This rule applies to ALL radio stations whether they be right wing or all music all the time. It prevents a radio station, licensed to serve a community, from becoming a satellite station. That is all. It would have had zero effect of being rebroadcast by satellites (Sky Angel) or cable or other media.

See ya
Tony

 

[TNGTony]

Further... (I actually had to do some work at work today so I couldn't finish my thought)

The claim of Christian radio stations having to hire people is also directly related to local content. The argument is that some Christian stations operating on a shoe-string with a trained chimpanzee pushing the correct feed buttons to keep the station on the air will have to hire an "on-air staff" which they may not be able to afford. Well. Boo friggin' hoo. The FCC granted the license on condition that the station would serve the LOCAL interest. It is difficult to do that when all the programs, including news, are imported via satellite or fiber or internet feed from who-knows-where.

Again, the same thing goes for "all talk" and "all music" stations that do the same thing.

See ya
Tony

 

[digiblur]

Further... (I actually had to do some work at work today so I couldn't finish my thought)

The claim of Christian radio stations having to hire people is also directly related to local content. The argument is that some Christian stations operating on a shoe-string with a trained chimpanzee pushing the correct feed buttons to keep the station on the air will have to hire an "on-air staff" which they may not be able to afford. Well. Boo friggin' hoo. The FCC granted the license on condition that the station would serve the LOCAL interest. It is difficult to do that when all the programs, including news, are imported via satellite or fiber or internet feed from who-knows-where.

Again, the same thing goes for "all talk" and "all music" stations that do the same thing.

See ya
Tony

I also had the same idea when reading the document. This is so blown out of proportion it is crazy. Making the stations server the local interest is a good thing.

Won't affect me a bit though as I haven't listened to FM/AM in the 2+ yrs I've had Sirius.

 

[Scroll]

I think you hit the nail on the head! As far as OTA radio I might have listened all of 5 minutes all of last year so it makes me no difference in that respect whether it's local or syndicated. Either way I won't likely be listening, especially if it's commercial based.

 

[TNGTony]

Well, it might affect my favorite radio station. It is mostly news from NPR. It has some local news breaks and a couple of local programs weekly. But overall this is an "all import, all the time" station.

See ya
Tony

 

[icstephen]

Allot of stations now are nearly 100% automated, most corporate stations rely heavily on syndicated and voicetracked dj's and talk shows...there are stations (some major market FM's) that have almost no staff at all. I worked for a large cluster in a top 10 market and at night and on the weekend there where very few people at the station at all (2 or 3 people for 5 stations)...with all the automation they can cut back on personel (unfortunatly it cuts back on creativity also).

The FCC is proposing several things in its localism push and that is that every station will be manned 24 hours a day (there are some that have no one at all...even news is voicetracked), and I have been hearing about the fairness doctrine for some time (apperently this was in place at one time in the past) and it basically says that if you have 5 hours of one kind of talk (ie conservative) than you have to 5 hours of opposing viewpoints. That all being said this will never happen, the congress has already come out against the stations being manned 24 hours a day...the NAB and major broadcasting companies who are major political contributers and a major lobby will make sure that consolidation continues (or opens up to even more consolidation).

The pre-consolidaton era was soo much better...now it is painfull to listen to the radio. I have been without my Sirus for a couple of months now and have been forced to listen to the radio...its amazing how bad it has gotten. I tried listning to Lanigan and Malone on Clear channels wmji in Cleveland and its almost constant commercials (so bad I had to just change the station)...the ones that are really sickening are just very short 10 second ads and they just play them right in the middle of the show.

If by some strange event consolidation was reversed or they passed this law I dont know if it would affect non-coms anyway (which is the majority of christian broadcasting) and I can almost guarantee that NPR would be exempt (the Govt is always exempt...LOL)

 

[jegrant]

One issue is what some perceive as unethical behavior by some of the large Christian radio networks. Some of them have plead poverty to the FCC, saying that they cannot afford to operate studios for each of their radio stations, so that they will be granted a Main Studio Waiver. When it comes time to acquire more stations, though, the very same networks turn around and buy stations at commercial prices (much higher than non-profits would generally be able to afford). So how is it that some of these large networks have no money available to serve local communities and create local jobs, but apparently find unlimited funds available for purposes of expansion?

I am not saying this is all bad, because perhaps these large networks do bring Christian radio into areas that would not otherwise have it. But on the other hand, I feel that they are pricing the local ministries out of the market. Most local ministries would not have the wherewithal to buy a radio station at commercial rates.

 

[spvideo]

So I guess the consenses here is no simulcasted Christian radio for unserved areas

A Christian station utilizes simulcasting as a cost effective way to spread the Gospel through a listener supported platform and people here seem to be slamming their efforts. I happen to have become a Christian through the discovery of Christian radio and think it is a valuable ministry tool. It seems like the weather forecast in timbuck two is more important to you then having the gospel available to be heard by the unsaved. I'm not disappointed that you think this is being overblown. Which frankly I hope it is. It's how the argument is well I have my XM or other source so who cares about anyone else.

Let's compare it to another debate which has occurred in this very forum. IPTV vs Satellite and how rural areas get cheated and lifetime supporters are being treated unfairly. So I guess if the FCC causes simulcast Christian radio stations to be shut down because they can't afford LO programming on all stations any "lifetime supporters" who contributed money to the station could demand the radio stations provide a free internet radio receiving box for life. Also the people in rural areas may no longer have access to a Christian radio station so they would be forced to pay for XM or Sirius. I know this is a far fetched analysis that might sound familiar.

I hope it being overblown. It just something to be aware of. Thanks for listening. I'm not angry. Just puzzled that it isn't that big of a concern to some who have been so passionate about the availability of Christian media outlets.