By: Will Wiquist—
Washington DC—Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai thanked radio and television broadcasters for their tireless efforts during the coronavirus outbreak, including running public service announcements on social distancing, airing educational programming to help with distance learning, expanding COVID-19 reporting, and holding fundraisers to help those who have faced financial hardship due to the virus.
“As always, in times of emergency, broadcasters are stepping up to serve their communities and help keep people informed, healthy, and safe,” said Chairman Pai. “From airing PSAs on social distancing to supporting distance learning with educational programming, broadcasters are going above and beyond the call of public service. I want to especially recognize those reporters who are on the front lines, often putting themselves in harm’s way, to obtain vital information on COVID-19 to ensure their viewers and listeners have the most up-to-date and accurate information. We’ve seen time and again that broadcasters’ efforts to keep their communities informed during emergencies help save lives, including when it comes to this pandemic.”
In times like these, more Americans turn to their local radio station for the latest and most relevant information for their hometowns.
On March 16, Chairman Pai held a conference call with broadcasters to commend their coronavirus response and urged them to continue their efforts to keep Americans informed. Broadcasters have run tens of millions of dollars’ worth of public service announcements on social distancing and other aspects of the pandemic, aired educational programming to help students and educators with distance learning, held fundraisers for charities and small businesses, expanded local news to cover COVID-19, and implemented often drastic changes to their operations to abide by social distancing guidelines.
About the FCC
The Federal Communications Commission regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories. An independent U.S. government agency overseen by Congress, the commission is the United States’ primary authority for communications law, regulation and technological innovation.
