Washington, D.C. -- State broadcasters associations representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico adopted two resolutions that support local radio and allow stations to continue serving their communities with emergency alerts, trusted news and local sports.
The first resolution urges members of Congress to support the Local Radio Freedom Act (LRFA), which opposes any new performance fee on local radio stations. Local radio stations provide trusted news, sports and entertainment to their communities free of charge, but stations’ ability to do so would be greatly threatened if faced with a new performance tax, on top of the hundreds of millions of dollars local stations already pay each year in copyright and streaming fees.
The second resolution calls on legislators to support the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, which ensures the continued availability of this essential service in all newly manufactured vehicles. As the backbone of our nation’s Emergency Alert System, AM radio keeps communities informed during severe weather with lifesaving information, especially when other forms of communications fail. AM radio also keeps people connected through sports and religious programming, local news and entertainment.
“On the heels of an incredibly successful State Leadership Conference, where over 560 local TV and radio broadcasters traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with lawmakers on Capitol Hill, congressional support for local radio is strong,” said NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt. “State broadcaster associations play a pivotal role in our advocacy efforts, and I am proud to see the collective unity behind these resolutions.”
The National Association of Broadcasters is the premier advocacy association for America's broadcasters. NAB advances radio and television interests in legislative, regulatory and public affairs. Through advocacy, education and innovation, NAB enables broadcasters to best serve their communities, strengthen their businesses and seize new opportunities in the digital age. Learn more at nab.org.
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