FCC Chairman Kevin J. Martin has appointed Penny Nance, until recently a board member of "Concerned Women for America," as an advisor on indecency issues. Concerned Women for America describes its mission as “helping…to bring Biblical principles into all levels of public policy.” Ms. Nance has also worked for the "Center for Reclaiming America," a group that says it works to “implement the Biblical principles on which our country was founded.” What does this say about the direction Martin intends to take the Commission on so-called "indecency" issues? This is extremely troubling news for anyone concerned about freedom of speech, and the separation of church and state.
As Todd Shields at Mediaweek reports:
Penny Nance, until recently a board member of Concerned Women for America, is working as a special advisor in the FCC’s Office of Strategic Planning and Policy Analysis, said aides to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin. The strategic planning office helps develop agency policy. Concerned Women for America describes its mission as “helping…to bring Biblical principles into all levels of public policy.” In recent weeks Nance, a longtime supporter, stepped down from the organization’s board, said an official with the Washington, D.C.-based group... Martin’s office said she advises the commission on “broadcast- and cable-related consumer and social issues” in a post that “serves as liaison and provides outreach to Congress, public interest groups and the industry...” In filings to Congress last month, Nance said she had terminated her work as a lobbyist for Kids First and for the Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Center for Reclaiming America, a group that says it works to “implement the Biblical principles on which our country was founded.”
Ms. Nance has called for “repeated and expanded” fines “until broadcasters understand they are not above the law” and also claims there is “a huge indecency problem on basic cable channels.”
Why Ms. Nance at the FCC? Maybe Brent Bozell wasn't available -- or was unwilling to take the pay cut... But it might as well be Brent, as the article makes clear.
What does this say about the direction new FCC Chair Kevin J. Martin intends to take the Commission on so-called "indecency" issues? This is extremely troubling news for anyone concerned about freedom of speech, and the separation of church and state.
Bringing "Biblical Principles" to the FCC
