Broadcaster Freedom Act - Measure to Protect Freedom of Speech - Introduced in House and Senate

The American Center for Law and Justice is Pleased by Congressional Efforts to Prohibit Return of Fairness Doctrine; "We believe passage of this measure is paramount to protecting free speech," said Jay Sekulow, chief counsel of the ACLJ.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8, 2009—Wednesday, the Broadcaster Freedom Act was introduced to the U.S. House and Senate that will prevent the return of the Fairness Doctrine.  The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), focusing on constitutional law, received nearly 135,000 signatures on a petition last year urging Congress to approve the Act.  

"A return of the Fairness Doctrine would be devastating to Christian broadcasters by putting the federal government in charge of telling broadcasters what to air," said Jay Sekulow, chief counsel of the ACLJ.  "Such a move would put the federal government in control of dictating the content of what’s aired - effectively muzzling Christian broadcasters.  That's precisely why the Broadcaster Freedom Act is so important.  We applaud the many House and Senate members who have introduced and co-sponsored the measure."  

The Broadcaster Freedom Act of 2009 was introduced Jan. 7, 2009, into the House (H.R. 226) and Senate (S. 34) by Congressman Mike Pence (R-Ind.), chairman of the House Republican Conference, Congressman Greg Walden (R-Ore.), Senator Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), chairman of the Senate Steering Committee, and Senator John Thune (R-S.D.), vice chairman of the Senate Republican Conference.

The Broadcaster Freedom Act would permanently prohibit the Federal Communications Commission and President-elect Obama from reinstating the Fairness Doctrine.  

The ACLJ heard from nearly 135,000 Americans last year urging passage of the measure.  The ACLJ will continue to generate support for the 2009 bill.

"Many people already understand the importance for the need of the Broadcaster Freedom Act," said Sekulow.  "It's the only way to ultimately protect Christian broadcasting from government intervention.  We will continue to generate support for this measure and believe that hundreds of thousands of Americans will demand passage of this critical bill."

Led by Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow, the American Center for Law and Justice focuses on constitutional law and is based in Washington, D.C.  The ACLJ is online at www.aclj.org.