Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/79688
BY PATRICE A. KELLY NEWS NOTES The National Black Religious Broadcasters is urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to keep the "Viewability Rule" in place.The organization states that the expiration of the "viewability" rule could have a serious neg- ative impact on viewers of faith-based programming through- out the country. Much of this programming is viewed on must-carry television stations. President of NBRB Rev. Sheldon Williams says, "If the FCC changes the viewability rule this would be grossly unfair to Black religious broadcasters throughout the country. Therefore, we strongly urge the Federal Communications Commission to extend the rule because many of our 10,000 members will be directly and adversely affected by the inac- tion of the FCC.NBRB believe that by extending the viewa- bility rule it will signal the FCC commitment to small and independent broadcasters. We plan to work hard to make sure that this extension is a reality." The end of the rule also will reduce programming diversi- ty. NBRB broadcasters offer unique faith-based program- ming targeting often underserved audiences.The stations that carry these programs are generally independent and cannot afford the lost viewership that is likely to result fromallowing the current viewability rule to expire. Currently, approximately 22 percent of cable subscribers rely on analog service and many more use analog service on second and third TVs.The end of the viewability rule would allow cable providers to basically cut off must-carry stations from those viewers. In order to access NBRB content, these consumers would be forced to go through the hassle and expense of purchasing and installing a new converter box. Ending the viewability rule would transfer the burden of complying with these requirements from cable providers to consumers. The National Black Religious Broadcasters (NBRB) is a national coalition of over 10,000 black religious broadcasters throughout the country who utilize broadcast and cable tele- vision, the internet and radio to host their ministries and spread the gospel. WORDS AND DEEDS On June 8-10, 2012 Franciscan University of Stuebenville, Ohio hosted it's 30th Annual Catholic Charismatic Conference - "Jesus asWord, Jesus as Prophet." The week- end included inspiring talks and workshops led by Damian 22 Stayne, a well-known speaker in the Catholic charismatic renewal movement and founder of Cor et Lumen Christi, a faith community in the Dioceses of Arundel and Brighton in England. It also featured Masses on both Saturday and Sunday, praise and worship led by singer/songwriter Bob Rice, silent eucharistic adoration, a healing service, and the sacrament of reconciliation. For more information, contact Tom Sofio at (740) 284-5893. On June 3-8, 2012, Hampton University hosted the 98th Annual Minister's Conference entitled, "A Global Church Serving a Global Christ in a Global Age," and the 78th Annual Choir Directors' and Organists' Guild Workshop, on the Hampton University Campus in Hampton, Virginia. Presenters included Bishop Noel Jones, Dr. Jasmin W. Sculark, Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, Mrs. Alicia Brent Chloe, Dr. Susan Johnson Cook, Dr. Cynthia Hale, Bishop J. Delano Ellis, Dr. Alfred C. D. Vaughn, Bishop Jerry W. Macklin, Dr. David E. Goatley and Dr. Cynthia James. CALENDAR OF EVENTS July 2-6, 2012 "2012 Connectional Youth &YoungAdult Conference,"ChristianMethodist Episcopal Church (CME), Shingle Creek Resort, Orlando, Florida. Contact Dr. Carmichael D.Crutchfield at (901) 345-4109 for information. July 2-6, 2012 "2012AIMConvention – COGIC,"Church of God In Christ (COGIC), Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex, Birmingham, Alabama. Contact J. Drew Sheard or Bishop Roy Dixon at (414) 371-2500 for information. July 5-8, 2012 "The 2012 National Black Nazarene Conference – The Power of One," Church of the Nazarene, Hyatt Regency Hotel,Atlanta,Georgia. July 7-11, 2012 "226th Church of the Brethren Annual Conference," Church of the Brethren, America's Center Convention Complex, St. Louis, Missouri. Contact Chris Douglas at (847) 742-5100,Ext 364 for information. July 19-21, 2012 "Always Sisters, Forever Brothers," Sharing the Vision, Belmont University Curb Event Center, Nashville,Tennessee.Contact (615) 601-2732 for information. July 22-25, 2012 "IMMERSE – GMA's Music Training Experience,"GospelMusicAssociation (GMA),Rocketown, Nashville,Tennessee.Contact (615) 242-0303 for information. July 22-25, 2012 "Nyung Nay Retreat with Venerable Steve Carlier," FPMT, Land of Medicine Buddha, Soquel, Black Meetings & Tourism July/August 2012: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com