Congress Must Vote for Multicast Must-carry Provision to Protect Religious Broadcasters

Christian Coalition of Americas Director of Communications, Michele Combs, gave remarks at a press conference in the U.S. Capitol Building recently as part of the Coalition for a Smart Digital TV Transition and represented the Religious Voices in Broadcasting. The Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Congressman Joe Barton, (R-TX), and Senator Ted Stevens, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation are about to introduce digital television legislation. It is believed that the House Chairman opposes inclusion of a Multicast Must-carry provision which would create the level playing field that religious broadcasters need in order to survive in the digital television environment.