FCC Fine Violates Univision's Freedom of Speech
March 6, 2007
 
Irvine, CA--The Federal Communications Commission has slammed the Hispanic-television network Univision with an unprecedented $24 million fine after the FCC decided it failed to meet regulations requiring broadcasters to air at least three hours a week of educational children's programming. Univision points to several shows it says fulfill the requirement, but the FCC denies the shows are truly educational.

"This fine is an outrageous violation of Univision's right to free speech," said Dr. Yaron Brook, executive director of the Ayn Rand Institute. "Broadcasters should be free to determine what shows they will air without having to answer to government bureaucrats.

"If parents desire educational programming for their children and they do not think Univision is providing it, they are free to turn the channel, play a DVD, switch on the radio or open a book. There is no justification for forcing broadcasters to meet a quota for 'educational children's programming.'

"But these quotas do not simply undermine free speech. The guidelines defining what qualifies as 'educational' programming are so vague, so inconsistently interpreted and applied that broadcasters have no means of knowing whether their actions will be permitted or punished--until the FCC hands down its verdict. In forcing broadcasters, under threat of crippling fines, to guess which programs a pack of regulators will deem 'educational,' these quotas represent an assault on the rule of law. They should be condemned as such."

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Dr. Yaron Brook is available for interviews. He is executive director of the Ayn Rand Institute and has appeared on hundreds of radio and TV shows, including FOX News (The O'Reilly Factor, Your World with Neil Cavuto, At Large with Geraldo Rivera), CNN's Talkback Live, CNBC's Closing Bell and On the Money, and C-SPAN.

Dr. Brook was an assistant professor of finance for seven years at Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, California, where he received numerous teaching awards.

He also developed an award winning class on finance and ethics. He holds an MBA and Ph.D. in finance from the University of Texas at Austin.

He has published in academic as well as popular publications, taught and lectured extensively in the United States and abroad on finance and ethics, international finance, banking and corporate governance.