In re applications of WQED Pittsburgh and Cornerstone. This is nothing new. It was alleged that the Commission was barring certain religious programming from the reserved channels. Then it was alleged that the Commission was somehow restricting religious speech, or engaging in a prior restraint. Again, not true the decision only dealt with the small number of television channels set aside for noncommercial educational use.
Religious broadcasters are free to broadcast whatever they wish on commercial channels.
Indeed, Cornerstone has been broadcasting unimpeded on a commercial television channel in Pittsburgh since 1978. In this case, Cornerstone was seeking a special privilege from the government the right to broadcast on a channel reserved primarily for public education. I reject and resent this type of attack, reminiscent of a witch-hunt. It is precisely because of my deep respect for religion, and my deep appreciation for the religious diversity of America, that I supported our additional guidance. Religion is much more than that.