Help protect religious television programming
Congress is currently considering legislation that will impact how much religious programming will be available in your home!
Unless Christian conservatives act soon, the level of religious programming made available on your local cable systems could well decrease in coming years.
Congress is currently considering legislation concerning the transition from analog to digital television and it is essential that consumers of religious programming be represented in this debate.
Local religious broadcasters are the backbone of faith-based media outreach in America. These stations work tirelessly to promote pro-family messages that are direct reflections of their communities and they provide a haven for many who are in-need, suffering or simply seeking a positive, comfortable television environment.
In order that the voice of religious broadcasters not be diminished, it is imperative that Congress pass what is known as a "multicast equal-access" provision to its digital television legislation. This provision provides that local cable systems must provide equal access to all local broadcasters.
We strongly believe that without "multicast equal-access" the conservative, faith and family broadcasters will be at a disadvantage. The major media networks do not need this provision to get their programming carried on local cable systems. However, the cable companies do not readily carry the Christian networks and the "multicast equal-access" provision will force cable and satellite companies to treat secular and faith oriented broadcasters equally.
In today's society, religious broadcasters are a ray of hope in the often dismal world of indecent, violent and sexually explicit programming. In many cases, parents are forced to block much of the programming on local cable systems due to their content.
Religious broadcasters committed to their mission of serving the local communities in which they work, but they rely on local cable systems' carriage of their signals to reach their viewers.
Congress' inclusion of a "multicast equal-access" provision in its new digital television legislation would maintain the status-quo and keep the level playing field that religious broadcasters need in order to survive in the digital television environment. With "multicast equal-access", religious broadcasters will maintain a proportionate voice on America's cable systems and secure a place for small and independent broadcasters.
We ask you to call upon Congress and urge them to include a "multicast must-carry" provision in the digital television legislation. Time is of the essence. Please call or email your congressman or Senator today.
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