NRB’s leader says faith-based media isn’t asking for special treatment — just fair access
Imagine walking into your town’s public square — a place where neighbors have always gathered to talk, share ideas and speak their minds. But this time, something’s different. A few people stand near the mic, quietly steering you away. “Not today,” they say. “Your message doesn’t fit.” You’re not shouted down or thrown out — just quietly redirected, told your voice isn’t what the crowd needs to hear.
These aren’t abstract hypotheticals. They are real stories of broadcasters being excluded by corporate gatekeepers who draw invisible red lines and decide which voices are welcome and which are not.
The digital public square is no longer a quaint town square; it’s a global network controlled by a handful of corporations and tech giants, operating with immunity under Section 230 — the very law meant to keep them out of editorial activity. With these digital gatekeepers wielding unchecked power, our First Amendment protections must be upheld — for every voice, in every medium, across every platform.
Free speech isn’t optional. It’s the foundation of the American experiment.
But today, that foundation is under threat not just from private platforms, but from the very institutions tasked with upholding it.
While new leadership in Washington offers the hopeful prospect of a regulatory environment where all voices can be heard, we must not confuse optimism with resolution. The work is far from done.
Take religious broadcasters for example. For years, faith-based broadcasters and Christian communicators alike have faced hurdles, particularly in digital spaces where tech platforms wield unrestrained authority, often under the influence of a weaponized government that seeks to suppress dissenting viewpoints.
There is no doubt that federal agencies have, at times, been turned against private citizens. We saw this under the previous administration, with pressure campaigns aimed at social media companies to censor and blacklist disfavored content. The FBI singled out Catholic Americans and churches for surveillance under the guise of monitoring domestic extremism. The Treasury and FBI urged financial institutions to flag private transactions for law enforcement without following standard legal procedures.
The stakes go far beyond Christian media. If one group’s voice can be silenced because of its beliefs, every voice becomes vulnerable.
The First Amendment doesn’t play favorites; it protects unpopular voices just as fiercely as popular ones.
But in the digital age, constitutional protections don’t always translate into practical access — especially when corporate platforms operate outside the regulatory frameworks.
For example, while traditional cable providers are regulated by “must-carry” rules, religious programmers are repeatedly denied carriage by over-the-top (OTT) services (think Netflix) and virtual Multichannel Video Programming Distributors (vMVPDs, like YouTube TV). Without regulatory requirements, these platforms are allowed to exclude faith-based content, effectively limiting access to Christian programming and leaving their voices underrepresented.
Whether it’s a media conglomerate deprioritizing religious programming or a car manufacturer deciding to remove the AM radio option from the dash, censorship today comes dressed in new clothes, but with familiar intent.
Faith-based media isn’t asking for special treatment — just fair access.
And the audience for this sector is far from marginal: new Barna Group research, in partnership with NRB, reveals that 61% of Americans use Christian media, with nine in 10 of those who do so engaging with it at least weekly.
Clearly, a broad and deeply engaged community relies on faith-based content, making it a vital force in the current media environment.
Ensuring this landscape remains balanced and competitive is a key function of the Federal Communications Commission. With fresh leadership in place under Chairman Brendan Carr, NRB is optimistic that the FCC will continue to investigate claims of discrimination against faith-based broadcasters, curb corporate censorship and safeguard free speech for all broadcasters.
However, we caution broadcasters and communicators not to become too comfortable. A friendly administration or FCC allies does not guarantee the battle is won.
The FCC’s effectiveness hinges on the active involvement of industry stakeholders. Now is the moment to push forward, ensuring new leadership delivers on promised reforms and holding both government and corporate entities accountable. At NRB, we are engaging closely with the FCC and advocating for policies that champion viewpoint diversity, particularly for small and non-commercial educational religious broadcasters.
So, what can be done? First, broadcasters must speak up. Ask questions. Push for platform transparency. If your station or network has been excluded, make it known.
Second, listeners and viewers must speak with their dollars. Platforms respond to market pressure. If Christian content is excluded, audiences can take their loyalty elsewhere.
Finally, we must stay engaged with the policymaking process. NRB remains committed to ensuring faith-based broadcasters have a seat at the table.
Now is not the time to become complacent — it’s the time to lead.
By defending free speech for all, we help preserve the promise of this country: that every citizen, every community and every conviction has a place on the airwaves of a truly free nation.
Troy A. Miller is the president & CEO of The National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) Association. He is a senior executive with more than 30 years of business and management experience.
Radio World welcomes comments on this or any article. Send to radioworld@futurenet.com with “Letter to the Editor” in the subject field
