Rep. Ryan Introduces Bill to Help Ensure All Programming on American Forces Network Conveys American Values



Rep. Ryan Introduces Bill to Help Ensure All Programming on American Forces Network Conveys American Values

HON. TIM RYAN

OF OHIO MEMBER OF THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (OH-17)

March 8, 2012 Rep. Ryan Introduces Bill to Help Ensure All Programming on American Forces Network Conveys American Values

Thursday, March 8, 2012

WASHINGTON – Today, in light of the recent controversy surrounding 's attack on Sandra Fluke, Rep. Tim Ryan (OH-17) introduced a bill to ensure that the Pentagon avoids supporting programs that exhibit values contrary to the basic values of the Armed Forces and the United States.

"It is a disgrace that some programming on the Armed Forces Network harasses women to the point of slandering them as a 'slut' or a 'prostitute' simply for standing up for health issues," said Rep. Tim Ryan. "The men and women of our Armed Forces should not be subjected to this type of hate as they bravely fight for American values at home and abroad. My bill does not censor any programming, but it does ask the Department of Defense to annually evaluate whether its programming is contrary to the values of the Armed Forces and the United States. This is a basic issue of common sense and decency, and it's disappointing that the U.S. Congress has been forced to stand up as the last defense against bullies who don't know when they've crossed a line. I hope the American Forces Radio and Television Service makes the decision to re-evaluate its relationship with Rush Limbaugh, but if they don't, they should at least be forced to stand behind him and justify that decision."

Rep. Ryan's legislation would require the Pentagon to stand behind all its programming by annually certifying to the Congress "that all programming broadcast by the American Forces Radio and Television Service represents the best-faith efforts by the Department of Defense to provide programming that communicates the policies, priorities, programs, goals, and initiatives of the Department while avoiding airing programming that exhibits values contrary to the values of the Armed Forces and the United States."

A copy of Rep. Ryan's legislation is available here.

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