Media groups ask Congress for assistance

A media consortium has called on the U.S. Congress to direct existing and future government advertising to local media across large, media and small communities to ensure that the public has the information they need about the COVID-19 public health crisis and the government’s response.

The consortium includes the News Media Alliance, America’s Newspapers, the National Newspaper Association and the National Association of Broadcasters.

A bi-partisan group in the House of Representatives, led by Reps. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), Fred Upton (R-Mich.), Bill Flores (R-Texas) and Marc Veasey (R-Texas), coordinated a “Dear Colleague” letter to President Trump requesting that he direct federal agencies to shift existing advertising campaigns to local broadcasters and newspapers.

The letter also asks that future stimulus legislation includes incentives for businesses to advertise in local media. Approximately 240 members in the House of Representatives signed the letter.