Press Releases

Congressman Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (R-Ga.) today sent a request to President Donald J. Trump urging the Administration to support local media during the pandemic. In the letter, Carter and several of his colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives requested that the Administration direct federal spending on advertising to local media outlets and incentivize a portion of stimulus funds provided to businesses for their recovery efforts for advertising on local media.

The members wrote, "The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting local communities across our nation in unprecedented ways. All Americans are attempting to understand the full measure of this crisis, even as it continues to evolve on a daily basis. As in many of our nation’s most challenging times, the public turns to free and local media for life-saving information and breaking news, because local radio, television and newspapers are still the most trusted sources in times of emergency and disaster. We urge you work with us in ensuring that local media can continue to inform communities, even as these outlets face unprecedented economic distress.

Local news and information on radio, television and newsprint is more in demand than ever, yet local media outlets are experiencing catastrophic losses in the advertising revenue that allows them to continue investing in providing that news to the public. This national emergency has caused a near halt to local business activity and in turn, the regular and vital advertising they purchase from local media. Without advertising revenue, local media outlets cannot survive.

We believe that Executive Branch agencies have a powerful opportunity to support local media and promote public awareness by directing that federal spending on advertising be prioritized for local media outlets. Specifically, we encourage federal agencies to put into action today already funded campaigns to achieve certain public objectives as well as potential promotions of the economic stimulus programs provided for by the CARES Act and other recent legislation."

Specifically, the request asks President Trump and the Administration to:

• Direct Cabinet secretaries to review any resources intended to be used for advertising campaigns and have them expedite such activities with local media outlets;
• Direct federal agency advertising dollars for existing and new federal programs where community outreach is needed for spending with local media, including those serving minority and rural communities; and
• Incentivize a portion of stimulus funds provided to businesses for their recovery efforts for advertising on local media.

Click here for the full request letter.