Grassley joins bipartisan push for relief for rural broadcasters, local newspapers during pandemic

Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Steve Daines (R-Montana) and 72 of their Senate colleagues sent a bipartisan letter urging support for rural radio and televisions broadcasters and local newspapers during the Coronavirus pandemic.

“Our radio and television broadcasters and rural newspapers provide local and national news, emergency alerts, educational programs, and more to all corners of the United States. In many rural areas, broadcast stations are the predominant or only form of local information. We encourage the Office of Management and Budget to work with federal agencies throughout the government to increase advertising in local newspapers and on broadcast stations in order to help ensure they are able to continue to operate throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,” the senators wrote.

“We strongly believe that local newspapers and broadcasters play an integral role during the COVID-19 pandemic and making sure that stations are able to continue operating during this time is critical. We therefore encourage the Office of Management and Budget to work with federal agencies throughout the government to increase advertising in local newspapers and on broadcast stations in order to help ensure they are able to continue to operate throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The letter is available online at https://bit.ly/3bLFLj7.