[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 140 (Monday, October 30, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S11374]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. JEFFORDS:
  S. 3262. A bill to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to make 
inapplicable certain political broadcasting provisions to noncommercial 
educational broadcasting stations; to the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation.


             THE PUBLIC BROADCASTING INTEGRITY ACT OF 2000

  Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Public 
Broadcasting Integrity Act of 2000, legislation that would make the 
Federal Communications Act's political broadcasting provisions 
inapplicable to noncommercial educational broadcasting stations.
  I believe the current law is well-intentioned to serve the public 
interest by allowing federal candidates to communicate their views to 
the general public. However, these provisions are having some 
unfortunate side effects as federal candidates are exploiting loopholes 
in the Act to the detriment of public broadcasting. Many Vermonters and 
my colleagues have seen in recent news reports that public radio and 
television stations are being forced to give free, uncensored air time 
to any Federal candidate under provisions of the Federal Communications 
Act. As a strong supporter of public radio and television, I find this 
phenomenon disturbing.
  I an concerned that this valuable public resource is being 
commandeered and exploited as a way to get free advertising. Unlike 
commercial stations, public radio and television are heavily dependent 
on listener contributions. Many of these listeners are reconsidering 
their future financial support of these stations if this loophole is 
not closed and programming is replaced by a flood of political 
advertising. It seems inevitable that the number of candidates using 
this avenue will increase dramatically in the next federal election 
unless we make this minor but important legislative correction.
  Mr. President, we can not allow this to happen which is why I am 
introducing this bill today. I believe this narrowly tailored 
legislation will close this loophole and preserve the integrity of 
public broadcasting. I call on my colleagues to join me and support 
this legislation.
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