Is it more than family friendly, positive and encouraging?

I just celebrated my 25th year in Christian radio — 27 if you count my time I was on the air in school. When I got involved in Christian radio, we were playing ‘middle of the road’ music and programs that were generally preachers and teachers. Most radio stations had a news department. It was an important part of almost every station. The news and information they provided were stories that focused on headline news, but also news that dealt with social issues like abortion and homosexuality.

In the late 1980′s and early 90′s Christians began talking about the ethics of only promoting a Christian news agenda. In other words, was it right only telling the ‘Christian’ side of the story, rather than air a story that had both view points? Some Christian journalists said it was important for them to be fair (presenting both viewpoints), but to keep their Christian perspective. Others thought it was best only to provide the Christian viewpoint, since the liberal media was already presenting theirs. It was a balance.

In the mid 1990′s Christian radio shifted away from news and talk. In other words, many radio stations focused on music. These stations took off Focus on the Family, Insight for Living and news, to focus on providing music – Contemporary Christian music. The thought was, “give them music — what they want to hear, and not give them any reason to turn the dial.”

This had positive and negative ripple effects.

1. It hurt many ministries who were dependent on radio stations (because they were no longer on the air).
2. News became less of a focus (almost no focus).
3. Forced Christians to get their news from a non-Christian worldview.
4. Praise and worship music grew and flourished, allowing more Christian artists to make it into the mainstream.
5. It gave more power to the record labels.
6. Pushed Christian radio to be more pleasurable to listen to.
7. Brought the sayings like “Family Friendly” “Positive and Encouraging” “Commercial Free” “Christian Hit Radio” and others.

Today, some Christian radio stations are concerned with being ‘Family Friendly’ and ‘Positive and Encouraging’. They want to make sure entire families can listen to their station all the time with having to turn the dial. Unfortunately, that prevents Christians from hearing important information (good or bad) to help and encourage them to make a difference in their communities and around the world.

I work for a radio station group whose leadership believes in providing news that makes a difference so Christians can make a difference — even though their slogan is “Family friendly/commercial free.” While most people won’t tell you they ‘like’ the news, they know it’s an important part of their programming.

However, there are other stations that won’t even play Mission Network News because it’s not encouraging enough. At the most recent National Religious Broadcasters convention and a recent station recruiting trip, I ran into more radio stations program directors who won’t air MNN. They claim telling stories of Christian who’s are persecuted for their faith, human trafficking rescues, and God using tragedy to bring people to Himself isn’t radio that they want their listeners to hear — it’s not family friendly.

Today, young people (16-25) are looking for ways to make a difference. They want to know about the injustice in the world.  Not because they enjoy hearing the bad news, but because they truly believe they can do something about it.

At the most recent Urbana Conference, the world’s largest student missions conference, the majority of young people we interviewed confirmed that. In the last couple of years, organizations like International Justice Mission have seen participation from young people grow 10 fold.

My question is: Why wouldn’t most Christian radio stations WANT to talk about issues that will encourage Christians to be James 1:22 Christians? That verse is clear that we need to be doers of the world, and not hearers only.

Now, I understand that Christian radio stations want to provide programming where parents don’t have to be afraid to have their kids listening to the radio. I know you may not want you ears listening to all of these issues. But, at the same time, it can be teachable moments.  Other times, it’s just a good time to turn off the radio for a moment.

So, what’s my conclusion?  I really don’t have one.

I can see the need for family friendliness. There are a lot of radio stations using this philosophy.  Is there a need for Christian radio stations like the one I work with? Of course! My only concern is that there are fewer and fewer Christian radio stations that are providing news and information that are giving believers a true picture of our need to be involved.

Some station program directors have even said to me, “If they want full service news, they can get it from the news/talk station.”  But, do you really want Christians getting a non-Christian worldview of the news? There are a lot of issues attached to this.

Being that I’m a radio journalist, you know what side of the fence I’m sitting on, but I’d like to hear your comments.

Hate Speech Crimes Coming to the USA — I told you

I received this article from Radio Ink, a service I subscribe to for obvious reason. Today It featured the following article.

“June 2, 2010: A group of 30 organizations, including the National Hispanic Media Coalition, Prometheus Radio Project, and the Rainbow Push Coalition, have asked the FCC to “examine the extent and effects of hate speech in media, including the likely link between hate speech and hate crimes, and to explore non-regulatory ways to counteract its negative impacts.” The filing, in the Future of Media proceeding, calls the current media landscape “a safe haven for hate and extremism” and says that is exacerbated by media consolidation.

The groups also say such “hate” is a “profit model for syndicated radio and cable television programs masquerading as ‘news.’” The filing points to smaller numbers of working journalists, adding that the Internet is not a substitute for traditional media and is in any event “inundated with hate speech.”

What constitutes “hate speech” is not defined in the filing, but the groups nonetheless urge the FCC to collect data on it as an “essential task, even if the commission does nothing more than turn that information over to the public, researchers, and other government entities.” That, says the filing, will help the NHMC and other groups to “hold the media accountable.”

The FCC’s authority over content is very limited, extending only to indecency, children’s TV requirements, and political equal time. The Council on American-Islamic Relations has also recently filed a complaint with the FCC related to content that the group considered a “call to violence” by KPRC/Houston talk host Michael Berry.”

While there nothing in this story that suggests they group is advocating new laws restricting free speech — you know where this is heading. In fact, I told you it was coming.

May people have responded to my blogs when President Obama was running for office. They said my criticism of him was unwarranted. They told me that I didn’t know what I was talking about. They told me that I was just some right wing Republican, angry at change.

Well, look out. Everything I’ve been saying is coming true. The President Obama signed Hate Crimes Legislation. He passed Socialized health care, he’s inserted Chicago style politics into the Pennsylvania Democratic Senate race. And, now it appears the FCC may be tipping its hand toward a ‘hate speech’ bill — under the guise of FCC investigation. Perhaps it was begin restricting speech on radio first.

Interesting.

Ann Coulter Nixed in Ottawa

It was an interesting day in Canada yesterday. University of Ottawa’s decision to cancel conservative Ann Coulter’s appearance has renewed debate over freedom of expression on campus. It’s also opened the debate about the so called, ‘hate speech and its definition. More importantly, it’s a road we’re facing as American Christian radio professionals in a rapidly change world both politically, socially and religiously.

As I was watching the news last night I noticed protesters at the University toxic in their opposition to  Ann Coulter.  Watch this video:

The interesting part of this interview is at 1:01 into the report where the woman says, “We don’t believe the Ann Coulter is here to exercise her freedom of expression. We believe, indeed, that she’s exercising hate speech.”  Is this woman now the thought police?  How does she know Ann Coulter’s motives. And, how is it that she isn’t exercising hate speech against Ann Coulter or those they’re opposing in the crowd? These people weren’t being forced to attend. Conservatives invited her to come. She was their guest and these people felt it was their right to impose their ‘beliefs’ on other people.

That’s the problem with laws the prohibit free speech. How can you prove someone is saying something because they want to harm someone, or incites someone to hurt a person? A crime against someone is hate. You exercise hate when you violate someone’s the human rights. In my mind these very vocal protesters violated the rights of Canadian conservatives.  Under THEIR law, they should be prosecuted, right?

Christian Radio in the United States has been free for a long time. We’ve been openly been able to talk about the abortion issue. We’ve openly talked about what the Bible says about homosexuality and other sexual sins. Christian radio has encouraged Christians to become involved in the political process. Organizations like Focus On the Family and American Family Association have helped Christians send a message to Washington as it relates to religious freedom and biblical morality in our nation. Will that soon be concerned hate speech based on someone’s ‘feeling’ or ‘belief.’

This type of legislation is so subjective that in the hands of the wrong people could propel our nation into a police state, similar to the likes of the former Soviet Union or an extreme example, North Korea.

Pray for our nation. More importantly, pray for revival in our churches. Christians need to be renewed.

Obama-Mania and news about ‘Censorship Doctrine

I have been struggling what to write about President Obama’s Address to Congress this week. It has been a long time since I’ve lost sleep over a speech I heard on television, but this week I actually lost sleep. Not because I don’t think God is in control, but because I’m beginning to mourn for our culture and America as we knew her.

Why am I responding this way?  Because we elected a President who has no experience, has no vision, he doesn’t believe in the American people, he thinks government is the answer to all our problems and has surrounded him by a ‘Chicago Styles’ political system that isn’t interested America, but is more interested in power and doing away with their enemies.

I’m also mourning the death of journalism today. In the minds-eye of our founding fathers, the press was supposed to be the ‘Truth Tellers.’ They were supposed to be the tool used to keep our elected officials accountable to the people who elected them. They we supposed to provide unbiased news and information about issues that were/are being discussed on all levels. Today, journalists are providing news and information that HELP their candidate. Look no further than MSNBC who had nothing but negative comments about Governor Bobby Jindal’s remarks to Obama’s speech, while being nothing but glowing about the Obama performance.

I also mourn the Republic the we once knew in the U-S. Why? This leads me to why I mourn for our nation.

The United States is quickly turning into a Socialistic nation. Socialism refers to a broad set of economic theories of social organization advocating public or state ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods, and a society characterized by equal opportunities for all individuals, with a fair or egalitarian method of compensation. Did you hear that in President Obama’s speech this week?  I certainly did. That’s what kept me awake this week. He’s not looking to tax everyone (yet), he just wants to penalize the wealthy (those making $250,000 annually). He wants to take money from them, and give it to more bank bailouts, people who don’t have health insurance and those who fail to pay the credit card and mortgage payments.  While I’m not in the $250,000 salary range, I think this is totally unfair and un-American.

Where has our nation gone? Because of the negative ‘talk-down’ of the economy, the American people are scared. They’re following like sleep to slaughter to the ideals of socialism. President Obama has pushed through a bill that encompassed 1,000 plus pages and didn’t even allow the Republicans to have any input. That borders theocracy. How is THAT a representation of a Republic? How is that caring for your country. Less government is what’s needed in this situation, not MORE. I may be a spoonful of sugar now, but it will quickly turn into a stomach ache. Why? Because we’re spending money we don’t have.

On another note, Republicans are trying to do something. (I certainly wish they would have done something when they were in power other than spend money and act like democrats). They’re trying to save our free speech rights.

I received the following from the National Religious Broadcasters today:

• House and Senate Make Attempt at Broadcast Freedoms. Two stellar men in Congress have taken serious action this week to protect Broadcast Freedoms. They are sponsors of the House and Senate Broadcaster Freedom Act, the bill aimed at forever killing the Fairness Doctrine. United States House of Representative Mike Pence (R-IN) initiated a move to file an amendment in an Omnibus bill which would prevent the Fairness Doctrine from being restored through the end of this fiscal year. Pence through a similar move last year, won bi-partisan support preventing any FCC funds from being spent on a Fairness Doctrine thru March 6 of this year. Pence’s attempt to continue a block of funds for the next year failed in effort to be considered late Tuesday evening. House Republicans are looking at other options, presently.
  

• In the Senate, late this evening Sen. Jim DeMint (NC-R) plans to add the Broadcaster Freedom Act as an amendment to the DC Voting Rights Bill. DeMint said he added the amendment to prevent the Fairness Doctrine. The Senators office said it is also an attempt to get Congress to act in agreement with President Obama that they too oppose the Fairness Doctrine and stand in unison to oppose censorship on our nation’s airwaves. It is unclear at the time of this publication, how the amendment will be voted on. NRB’s Vice President of Government Relations, Bob Powers, is watching the item closely, in contact with Senate staff on the matter. To help weigh in on NRB’s most significant legislative items please log on to www.freedomtobroadcast.com.

What doe this mean? It means the Republicans have NO power and have NO voice in any of today’s politic. The national press is discounting everything they say. They have no platform and it won’t be long until Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and many Christian radio stations are off the air because of the liberal grab for power and their desire to silence their perceived enemy.

Obama opposes fairness doctrine – in public

I have been critical of Democrats in recent posts about what’s called the ‘Fairness Doctrine.’  I call it the ‘Censorship Doctrine.’  This week we heard this from Fox News.

“President Obama opposes any move to bring back the so-called fairness doctrine,” FOXNews.com reports. It adds that:

“The statement is the first definitive stance the administration has taken since an aide told an industry publication last summer that Obama opposes the doctrine — a long-abolished policy that would require broadcasters to provide opposing viewpoints on controversial issues.

“As the president stated during the campaign, he does not believe the fairness doctrine should be reinstated,” White House spokesman Ben LaBolt told FOXNews.com.

However, what’s not said in the release is that many of the House and Senate Deomoctrats FAVOR the measure. According to insiders, it’s believe the Democrats may make it a part of budget legistlation that President Obama WILL sign, because he won’t want to close down the government.

Chad Bresson at CDR Radio reports, “The problem, as it was described to us in Nashville, is that when Copps says, “put public interest considerations and guidelines back into licensing for full power stations”, he means granting local boards licensing power. The license will be at the mercy of a local board… which is fine if the community has no problem with religious programming (as some would say); however, if the community wants politically correct radio, the Christian broadcaster would be toast.

In other words, the NRB sees the localism standard as a means of bringing the fairness doctrine in the back door. The NRB believes it has successfully stigmatized the fairness doctrine… if it becomes reality again, the NRB believes it will be by another name in another form. And they’ve identified the localism boards as one of those forms.”

So, while the Obama administration isn’t seeking to reinstate the Censorship Doctrine, many others may be trying to.

Censorship Doctrine, here we come!

It is quite disturbing how far our country has deteriorated from the country ‘of the people, by the people and for the people.”  Now our montra is socialism, ‘The good of the many outweighs the good of the one.”  What ever happened to capitalism.

According to Wikipedia, “Capitalism is an economic system in which wealth, and the means of producing wealth, are privately owned and controlled rather than commonly, publicly, or state-owned and controlled.^[1][2] In capitalism, the land, labor, and capital are owned, operated, and traded by private individuals or corporations,^[3][4] and investments, distribution, income, production, pricing and supply of goods, commodities and services are primarily determined by voluntary private decision in a market economy largely free of government intervention.”

That’s exactly the opposite of what happened today in the U-S Senate as Liberal socialist politicians took a huge step into the hole of socialism, rather than allowing the spirit of the American workforce pull up our boot straps and tackle the economic conditions head on.

The Obama administration claims we needed to act on what they called the “Economic Stimulus” bill quickly, or things were going to spiral out of control. It’s amazing how President Obama wanted to have an open government, but he wouldn’t even allow law makers to read the 1,000 plus pages in the bill. How would Republicans have been treated if THEY had done that when they were in control of both chambers and the executive branch?  They would have been crucified by the press, yet the press has said virtually NOTHING about this.

Now, my grand children and great-grand children will be responsible for an incredible amount of debt. In just one week we’ve surrendered even more of our nation’s economy to other nations, who will give us even MORE credit — which is what got us into this mess in the first place. Investing in infrastructure may provide jobs short-term, but what’s going to happen when these infrastructure programs are completed? We’ll just have more unemployment and be back where we are now. How is this an ‘Economic Stimulus” bill? It’s just a socialist ‘hand-out’ similar to those of the former Soviet Union.

President Ronald Reagan was a great cheerleader for the American people. He believed in the American spirit. He knew our roots would help us rebound. He knew that tax cuts and empowering the PEOPLE to help us out of the tough economic conditions would be the only way out.

How does this affect Christian Radio?

Well, the next step in this leap to socialism is silencing the opposition. The democrats are now openly talking about the Fairness Doctrine, or as I’m calling it the Censorship Doctrine (as are many others). It will end talk radio as we know it. It could also end Christian radio as we know it. It may not come in form of a new FCC mandate, it may come in the form of hate speech legislation. The first step in ending free speech. We soon won’t be able to talk negatively about God’s hatred for homosexuality. We may be prevented from saying Jesus is the ONLY way to salvation. A,d, we may be restricted from talking about the truth of Islam. Why? If we do, we could be charged under hate speech crimes.

Do you doubt this?  We need only look to Australia and Canada as examples of what hate speech legislation can do to ‘help’ society. In Australia, two pastors were charged under hate speech legislation for simply reading a passage in the Koran that supported their notion that Islam is a violent religion. In Canada the Bible may be viewed as hate literature because it denounces homosexuality and other sexual sin.

It’s time for Americans who believe in preserving our nation, to speak up and do something to make sure we don’t continue sliding down this slippery slope to socialism. Or, the United States of America will be known as the United Socialistic States of America.  Sound vaguely familiar?

Mission Network News at NRB

I’m on my way to Nashville for the National Religious Broadcasters Convention!!

For those of you who know me, this is NOT my favorite place to visit. Albeit a necessity, especially this year. Actually, because of the downturn in the economy, I wasn’t planning to attend this year. I figure since donations were down and our budgeted expenditures are more aggressive this year because of some planned programming changes, I would stay home and save some money.  But, things changed.

To my surprised, our broadcasting peers named Mission Network News National Religious Broadcasters best short feature program of the year. Then, Open Doors USA is honoring MNN with the Passion of the Persecuted award. Both of these awards are being presented at this conference. So, I decided (with the help of my staff) to go to NRB to receive the awards in person.

Actually, it isn’t costing that much, either. Cornerstone University had some “Biz Perks” award points saved, so I got to fly for $50. I don’t need a car. So, I’m only paying my conference fees and hotel room for two nights (even though THAT’S expensive).

I also hope to meet with a number of radio stations, talk with many of our partner ministries and potential partners, and renew friendships.

However, this conference is not on the forefront of my attention. Have you ever had someone in your life that God used to spiritually change your whole life?  Pastor Dan Cummings was that person in my life (see gregorysyoder.wordpress.com).  He was diagnosed with stage four cancer last March. On Thursday, February 5, 2009 — (the man I called Oh captain, my captain) was called to Heaven. His funeral in Monday. My heart aches because I can’t be there. I true wish I could honor him in a way fitting for someone I hold in such high esteem. One of the award ceremonies is 30 minutes after the funeral. For me to cancel would create an incredible headache for the ministry that’s giving it to us. While we’re receiving an award from man, I can’t help but think about the reward Dan’s experiencing right now of being in the presence of Jehovah.

Be praying for the Cummings family (his wife, daughter and two sons) as they’re missing their husband and father right now. Also for his church, Five Points Community Church as they’ve lost their Shepherd.

Trouble in the offing under Obama?

I received this message from the National Religious Broadcasters Association today.

“President Elect Obama’s selection of Melody Barnes as the Director of his Domestic Policy Council may be a troublesome sign regarding the new White House’s attitude toward conservative and/or Christian broadcasters. Ms. Barnes was the prior Executive Vice President for Policy of the Center for American Progress (2004-2008). That liberal think tank issued an extensive report in 2007, complaining about the prevalence of conservative talk radio, and making several suggestions on how the FCC could force the airwaves to reflect more liberal viewpoints.”

It’s quite troubling to me that today, in a time when information can be found ANYWHERE, that a liberal think-tank thinks they need to do something to get their liberal views spewed on even more broadcast outlets. I’m amazed. Why don’t they take a look at all the mainstream networks to see how their liberal bias is ALREADY entrenched in American society.

It’s obvious the democrats aren’t interested in fairness. They’re only interested in silencing conservatives. That’s unamerican.

Christian Radio in jeopardy under Obama

Americans are heading to the polls to decide on the next President of the United States. In just hours we’ll know who the next president will be. For those of you who have been following my blog, you know I have been concerned about the future of our nation under a Barak Obama presidency. Well, I’m still concerned, especially after an interview I did with Craig Parshall, Vice President and General Counsel for the National Religious Broadcasters Association.

Interview with Craig Parshall at NRB

I’d like to encourage you to listen to this interview that’s both sobering and frightning for Christians in the United States. Who would have ever thought religious freedom would be in jeopardy under any U-S presidential candidate.

Hopefully this will anger you and cause you to go to the polls and cast your vote for the party who will protect religious freedom. The time is short. Pass this along to everyone you know.

I don’t understand Americans today – Obama’s socialism

The United States was founded on Judeo Christian values. It was founded on religious freedom. Our forefathers wanted a place where the government was of the people, by the people and for the people. It was supposed to be place where the government gets out of the way so the people can do what they need to do to earn a living, worship their God, take care of their families and ‘live the American Dream.’

If that’s what America is — what are Americans ready to turn their back on those principles.

Let me explain.

Here’s what Senator Obama is for:

• Obama wants socialized healthcare, higher education (giving students $10,000 rebates), jobs, and gas.
• Obama wants tax people who make $250,000 or more, so he can ‘spread the wealth around.’ He wants to penalize those who work hard and make money (the American dream) so those who don’t have as much can have more. IF THAT’S NOT SOCIALISM, I DON’T KNOW WHAT IT IS.
• He also will be giving people who currently don’t pay taxes a tax credit — or welfare. He’ll be giving them money for nothing.

Others also believe Obama is a socialist.  According S.E. Cupp, “Cliff Kincaid of Accuracy in Media pointed out that, for example, Obama was endorsed in 1996 by the Chicago branch of the Democratic Socialists of America for Illinois state senate. He eulogized Saul Mendelson, a well-known socialist activist. And he campaigned for socialist senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont.

While speaking recently at Columbia University, he spoke of a national volunteer program that many have called socialist in nature.

And his tax plan, whereby he’d raise taxes for the richest 5% and redistribute that income to the rest of the country, has also earned focused allegations of socialism. Bill O’Reilly told Obama to his face it was socialist during their much-discussed interview.”

Have we not learned from the world’s past? Socialistic systems don’t work. They passify the needy for a while, but those who want to work hard to achieve the American Dream — the American Dream could be dead.

Unfortunately, many Americans don’t know the difference between helping the poor and socialism.

What I don’t understand is why Obama thinks big businesses are bad. They employ U-S workers. They provide the majority of our tax base. Though their research and development they produce products that not only protect us, but helps make life easier.

By taxing big business — even Exxon — you take money away from their development — which includes expansion, which means fewer jobs for the American people.