WASHINGTON, D.C. (ANS) -- As it gears up for its annual convention in Nashville, TN, next month, National Religious Broadcasters, the preeminent organization of Christian broadcasters and communicators, is girding itself for a major battle over broadcasting freedoms.

Dr. Frank Wright, President and CEO of NRB, notes that 2009 may be a "year of great paradox for Christian broadcasters."

In a statement issued to Christian media, Dr. Wright stated: "While we stand at the threshold of expanding electronic access through exciting new technologies, we also face unprecedented threats to our foundational freedom to proclaim the good news of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.

"In the face of these threats, NRB will continue to defend the First Amendment freedoms of its members in every necessary legal, legislative, and regulatory arena," he said.

With the new Congress and the new Administration, Senior Vice President and General Counsel Craig Parshall says, "We will be rallying our members to a heightened state of alert in view of the impending flood-tide of attacks on both the freedom of broadcasters to determine their own free-speech content and threats against religious liberty."

Parshall continues by saying that "the litany of likely threats include: reinvigoration of the so-called 'fairness doctrine,' speech-suppression masquerading as hate-crimes legislation, employment regulations leaving little or no room for faith-based hiring decisions, and FCC regulations that would invade programming content decisions, such as localism mandates, adverse definitions of the 'public interest' obligation, and media reform rules that could disfavor Christian broadcasters."

While also noting that NRB supports pro-active measures, such as the Broadcaster Freedom Act introduced in the House of Representatives last week, Parshall stated: "The threats are so pervasive that we are prepared to use all means, including public information, legislative advocacy, and legal battles in the courts to ensure that Christian broadcasters are not banished to the frozen wasteland of censorship."

Media requesting more information should contact Craig Parshall, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, at 703-331-4517 or at cparshall@nrb.org  

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

Meanwhile, the American Center for Law and Justice is pleased by Congressional efforts to prohibit the return of the Fairness Doctrine.

"We believe passage of this measure is paramount to protecting free speech," said Jay Sekulow, chief counsel of the ACLJ.

Last Wednesday, the Broadcaster Freedom Act was introduced to the U.S. House and Senate. The measure will prevent the return of the Fairness Doctrine.

The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), which focuses 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," Sekulow said, adding: "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.

He added: "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 .

** Michael Ireland, Chief Correspondent of ANS, is an international British freelance journalist who was formerly a reporter with a London (United Kingdom) newspaper and has been a frequent contributor to UCB Europe, a British Christian radio station. Michael has traveled to Albania and the former Yugoslavia, Holland, Germany and the former Czechoslovakia, Israel,and Canada. He has reported for ANS from Jordan, China, Russia, Jamaica, Mexico, and Nicaragua. Michael's involvement with ASSIST News Service is a sponsored ministry department -- Michael Ireland Media Missionary (MIMM) -- of A.C.T. International at: Artists in Christian Testimony (A.C.T.) International.