The National Religious Broadcasters took note of the holiday season and sent a letter to the FCC asking for reform of the ban on noncommercial stations fundraising for third-party charities.
Currently, unless a special waiver is issued, the practice is banned but in a letter from NRB President and CEO Dr. Jerry A. Johnson, the group asked the FCC to “to complete the rulemaking process in this worthwhile effort.”
The letter added, “I respectfully suggest that such action to aid the charitable nature of many Americans would be particularly appropriate and significant at the FCC’s Open Meeting in December, a time of year when many Americans are particularly mindful of giving opportunities and community needs.”
A release notes that waivers are granted in the cases fundraising for natural disaster mitigation but fails to address daily, cyclical and full-time campaigns.
NRB Senior Vice President and General Counsel Craig Parshall added, “The logical outcome of this change seems clear, and the result would be compelling: the nonprofit resources in America will be more directly and comprehensively applied to the myriad problems facing today’s communities, while noncommercial broadcasters will be encouraged to perform the highest form of public service.”
