WASHINGTON, D.C. — State broadcast associations representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have reached out to Congressional leadership in the House and Senate urging the inclusion of local media relief provisions in any upcoming appropriations legislation or Coronavirus relief stimulus efforts.
In the letter, the associations encourage Congress to pass the Local News and Emergency Act.
This legislation would make eligibility for the Payroll Protection Program for media outlets based on a local, per station, or newsroom basis.
That’s received flak from some who argue that a local radio or TV station, or newspaper, isn’t a local business, as they could be owned by a publicly traded company with corporate offices thousands of miles away.
Nevertheless, these stations are operated locally, with activities that are largely intertwined with those of local and regional businesses across all sectors.
The letter also encourages provisions that would direct federal government advertising campaigns to prioritize local media for the promotion of important federal priorities, as well as incentivize local businesses to spend a portion of stimulus funds on promotion through advertising on local media.
