[20000619]RS20603_2000年《非商业性广播言论自由法》：相关法律问题概述和背景.pdf

Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code RS20603June 19, 2000Noncommercial Broadcasting Freedom ofExpression Act of 2000: Summary andBackground of Related Legal IssuesKevin GreelyLegislative AttorneyAmerican Law DivisionSummaryOn December 29, 1999, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) releasedan order approving the license transfer of WQEXa noncommercial educationaltelevision stationfrom WQED (the license holder) to Cornerstone Television, Inc, abroadcaster that engages primarily in religious programming. In approving the transfer,the FCC issued “additional guidance” on the educational programming requirementsapplicable to noncommercial educational (NCE) television licensees and concluded that“programming primarily devoted to religious exhortation, proselytizing, or statementsof personally held religious views and beliefs generally would not qualify as generaleducational programming.” Amid a firestorm of complaints and criticism over theorder, the FCC reconsidered and vacated the “additional guidance” on January 28, 2000.Despite the recission, there has been continuing concern over the remnants of the