Four organizations representing local newspapers and broadcaster are calling on Congress to include relief for media outlets in its next coronavirus package.

An open letter, signed by News Media Alliance, the National Association of Broadcaster, the National Newspaper Association and America’s Newspapers, said local outlets’ important work is being hindered by dropping revenue amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

“In this moment, local newspapers and radio and television stations are working around the clock, often in dangerous conditions, to consistently get critical and timely information to the public,” the groups wrote. “News publishers and local broadcasters have maintained their operations, provided a wide range of information at no cost, worked to protect employees in often dangerous conditions and — most of all — kept isolated individuals and families connected to their communities.”

ADVERTISEMENT

The organizations urged Congress to allow that local media outlets be able to receive funds from the Paycheck Protection Program instituted in the most recent relief package regardless of ownership by larger conglomerates and direct federal funding to advertising on local outlets.

The four groups said the measures would help offset the already dire financial situation facing most news organizations.

“Unfortunately, the rapid and likely continued drop in advertising revenue from local businesses resulting from COVID-19 is having an immediate impact on publishers’ and broadcasters’ basic capacity to maintain their operations,” the groups wrote. “Unlike many industries, the business proposition for locally-focused media — and local journalism in particular — was challenged before the pandemic. That situation has only worsened.”

The plea comes as the coronavirus, which has already infected more than 430,000 in the U.S. and killed nearly 15,000, sends economic shock waves across the country. A string of industries have already shuttered, while advertising is expected to sharply drop.