NRB Urges FCC to Respect Free Speech

George Winslow — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 17:02:23 +0000

WASHINGTON—In the wake of the controversy over the Jimmy Kimmel show, the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) is “reaffirming freedom of speech as the cornerstone of American democracy” and urging the FCC “to ensure that ‘broadcasting in the public interest’ is defined in a way consistent with the First Amendment.”

In a statement, Troy A. Miller, NRB president and CEO stressed that “the strength of our democratic republic lies in its openness to diverse voices in the public square, and the government is responsible for allowing space for civil disagreement. When one voice is suppressed, all voices are at risk. If viewpoint-based suppression can be directed at mainstream broadcasters today, it could be directed at faith-based broadcasters tomorrow.”

The statement dovetails with complaints by some conservatives who have argued that FCC Chair Brendan Carr is violating free speech First Amendment rights by threatening to yank broadcast licenses of stations who show bias in their news coverage. The FCC is currently investigating ABC, CBS and NBC stations for potential violations of “public interest” rules as a result of coverage that was critical of the Trump administration.

Those efforts have drawn criticism from Democrats, former FCC Commissioners, and some Republicans like Sen. Ted Cruz and Sen. Mitch McConnell.

“Ultimately, it is the FCC’s job to ensure that ‘broadcasting in the public interest’ is defined in a way consistent with the First Amendment,” argued Michael Farris, NRB general counsel in a statement. “Imbalance alone should never serve as grounds for silencing a broadcaster. If that were the standard, Christian radio and television would be at risk, as they rightly take strong positions without providing equal time to opposing viewpoints. The role of government is to safeguard speech, not restrict it.”

Along with those statements, NRB also affirmed “its commitment to working constructively with the FCC to ensure regulations are applied fairly and without political bias. NRB encourages the FCC to uphold its standards consistently for all broadcasters and communicators. The Commission has the opportunity to maintain an environment where disagreement can exist without coercion,” the group said in a press release.

NRB Announces 2016 Media Award Recipients

Michael Balderston — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 14:30:00 +0000

MANASSAS, VA.—The National Religious Broadcasters has announced the recipients of the 2015 NRB Media Awards, recognizing outstanding ministries, facilities, and programs/producers in the association of Christian broadcasters and communicators. The awards are designed to encourage excellence in production, service to community, faithfulness to the mission, commitment to the Gospel, and personal integrity.

Here are the full list of recipients:

SPECIAL SERVICE

NRB Hall of Fame
Dr. R.C. Sproul (Ligonier Ministries)
Samuel Tirtamihardja (Far East Broadcasting Co.)

William Ward Ayer Award for Distinguished Service
Dr. Richard G. Lee (There's Hope America)

Board of Directors Award
Vonette Bright (Cru)

Billy Graham Award for Excellence in Christian Communications
"Daily Hope with Rick Warren"

Individual Professional Member
Ray Cradock (Pario Marketing Limited)

Milestone
Family Life Radio
Dr. Robert & Pauline Dallenbach (Pillar of Fire Radio Network)
David M. Eshleman (WBTX Radio LLC)
Stan Jeter (CBN News)
Nevin Larson (WDCX-FM, Buffalo)
Roger Stubbe (Reach Beyond)

CHURCH MEDIA

Best Short-Form Video (small churches)
Granite Bay Church (Amazing Facts Ministries)

Best Short-Form Video (large churches)
Bellevue Baptist Church

Best Use of Media in Missions
"Abba's House with Dr. Ron Phillips"
"Touching Lives with James Merritt"

Best Promotional Campaign (small churches)
Abundant Life Assembly of God

Best Promotional Campaign (large churches)
Valley Baptist Church

INTERNATIONAL

International Impact Award
Dr. Randy Weiss (CrossTalk International)

International Individual Achievement Award
Bishop Sunday Onuoha (Vision Africa Radio)

International Innovation Award
CBN Asia - Batang Superbook (The Christian Broadcasting Network, Inc.)

International Radio Ministry Award
WIND-FM (WIND-FM and Far East Christian Broadcasting)

International Strategic Partnership Award
Member Care Media (a ministry of TWR)

International Television Ministry Award
IRR-TV (Great Commission Media Ministries)

INTERNET

Best Website
www.truthforlife.org (Truth For Life)

Best Digital Initiative
www.wildbrothers.com (Answers in Genesis)

Best Mobile Experience (Responsive or app)
Ligonier App (Ligonier Ministries)

Best Use of Social Media
www.facebook.com/intouchministries (In Touch Ministries)

RADIO

Radio Station of the Year
89.5 KVNE (Encouragement FM - KVNE)

Radio Program of the Year
"The Voice of the Martyrs Radio" (The Voice of the Martyrs, Inc.)

Radio Impact Award
"Life Issues" (Life Issues Institute)

TELEVISION

TV Station of the Year - Full Power
KGEB TV (Oral Roberts University)

TV Station of the Year - Low Power
theDove TV (KDOV Radio & TV)

Best TV Talk Show
"The 700 Club"(The Christian Broadcasting Network, Inc.)

Best TV Public Service Announcement
“Dylan's Story” (Teen Challenge USA)

Best Local Broadcast TV Commercial
“Landmarks of Prophecy” (Amazing Facts Ministry)

Best TV Teaching Program
"Walk in the Word"

Best TV Special Program
"Ink 180"(Total Living Network)

Best National TV Commercial
“Joy!” (CBN Radio)

Best TV Mixed Media Campaign
“Keep Christ in Christmas” (The Christian Broadcasting Network, Inc.)

Best Creative Television Programming
"Game On" (Liberty University)

The awards will be handed out during Proclaim 16, the NRB International Christian Media Convention, which will take place from Feb. 23-26 in Nashville, Tenn.

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NRB Urges FCC to Respect Free Speech

NRB Announces 2016 Media Award Recipients