Press Statement of FCC Commissioner Michael Powell. Re: FCC Order on Reconsideration of its religious broadcasting order. In re applications of WQED Pittsburgh and Cornerstone. Date: January 28, 2000. Source: FCC.

PRESS STATEMENT OF COMMISIONER MICHAEL K. POWELL REGARDING THE ORDER ON RECONSIDERATION IN WQED PITTSBURGH

I support the Order on Reconsideration adopted by the Commission today on its own motion vacating the "additional guidance" proffered by the majority in the WQED Pittsburgh case regarding what constitutes educational programming.

As I predicted in my dissenting statement opposing this "additional guidance" in the original Order, it has opened a Pandora's Box of problems. In today's decision we put the lid back on the box.

I continue to believe that when treading this close to content regulation, the traditional deference the Commission has given to broadcasters in these matters is the most appropriate regulatory course.