WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Jim Hagedorn and a bipartisan group of his colleagues have sent a letter to President Donald Trump urging that any federal advertising dollars associated with new federal programs relating to the COVID-19 pandemic be directed to local media outlets.
"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,” Hagedorn and his colleagues wrote. “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.”
"When we face our largest challenges, one of our greatest needs is access to reliable news and information,” said Wendy Paulson, president of the Minnesota Broadcasters Association, said in a press release. “Congressman Hagedorn’s signature shows his support for local news and information to keep our communities safe. On behalf of our Minnesota broadcasters, I thank Rep. Hagedorn for his continued help and backing for the industry and communities they serve.”
