The News Media Alliance and the National Newspaper Association sent a letter to President Joe Biden encouraging the Administration to use advertising in local newspapers to help build trust and acceptance of vaccines.
Some newspapers applying for the SBA’s PPP forgivable loan program using the affiliation waiver have experienced issues applying through their lenders. The News Media Alliance has been in contact with the SBA about this issue and we are offering assistance.
In the recently passed American Rescue Plan Act, which President Biden signed into law today, Congress included $1 billion in funding for an awareness campaign to build trust and acceptance of vaccines. The News Media Alliance recommends that trusted sources such as local news publishers be a top distribution channel for that campaign.
The News Media Alliance applauds Congress for approving another round of stimulus legislation, and for including an affiliation waiver that will allow previously ineligible news publishers to apply for the Small Business Administration (SBA) PPP loans as individual, independent entities.
The past nine months have been uniquely trying for us all; yet as we enter the holiday season, I am reminded of all that we have to be thankful for – yes, even in 2020. It may not be the year we envisioned back on January 1, but there have been some bright, shining moments for the news industry and for the Alliance in this strange, dark year.
The News Media Alliance commends Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Chris Coons (D-DE) for introducing the “Heroes Small Business Lifeline Act” that provides a Small Business Administration (SBA) affiliation waiver that would allow more news publishers to apply for SBA loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
Today, Representatives Cheri Bustos (D-IL) and Robert Aderholt (R-AL) sent a letter to U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) requesting that it conduct a comprehensive review of current government agency expenditures on advertising and to examine how federal agencies could place more advertising with local news publishers and broadcast stations.
A bipartisan group of policymakers in the House of Representatives on July 16 introduced H.R. 7640, the Local Journalism Sustainability Act, which, if enacted, would provide a series of tax credits for news consumers, news organizations and local newspaper and broadcast advertisers.
The News Media Alliance is a member of the COVID-19 Liability Coalition, organized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to advocate for the introduction of legislation that would ensure liability protection for businesses, nonprofit organizations, universities, and state and local agencies, from lawsuits if a customer or employee comes down with the coronavirus.
