Local radio and television broadcasters from across the country are in Washington, D.C., for the NAB State Leadership Conference. On Monday, several members of Congress spoke with attendees about issues affecting the broadcasting industry, and on Tuesday, broadcasters met with their representatives and FCC personnel to discuss the unique local service radio and television stations provide in their communities.

Rep. Doris Matsui (CA-06), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, addressed the crowd about the reliability, trustworthiness and inclusiveness of broadcast journalism. Matsui also spoke of the need for Congress to act on consolidation in the digital advertising marketplace through the Journalism Competition and Preservation Act, which broadcasters strongly support.

“Many rules are unique to broadcasters and set an extremely high bar for the type of content that makes it to the public,” Matsui said. “Broadcasters are one of the most inclusive mediums available – no monthly fee or subscription charge. A free source of quality media. As more families are forced to make tough decisions about where to spend their money, the free nature of broadcasting is a public good.”

NAB presented Sen. Roy Blunt (MO) with its Broadcast Champion Award in recognition of his support of local broadcasting during his time in Congress. Blunt thanked broadcasters for their work during times of emergency, particularly during tornadoes in Missouri.

Rep. Steve Womack (AR-03), the ranking member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, spoke about his role as a lead co-sponsor of the Local Radio Freedom Act and what impact a performance royalty would have on broadcast radio stations. Broadcasters strongly oppose the congressional imposition of new fees on local radio stations simply for airing music.

“Broadcasters are integral parts of our communities and economy,” Womack said on Twitter after the event. “Arkansans and Americans across the nation tune into local radio for around-the-clock news, emergency alerts, and entertainment.”

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (MN), chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Competition Policy, Antitrust, and Consumer Rights, spoke about proposed antitrust legislation that she introduced in the Senate with Sen. John Kennedy (LA)  to address the competitive market power of large digital platforms.

In addition, NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt delivered a “State of the Broadcast Industry” speech, in which he discussed the power of grassroots advocacy by local broadcasters to affect changes on legislative and regulatory issues.

“When members of Congress are home, and now in Washington, D.C., you deliver the message that this is not just some abstract piece of legislation; it is one that impacts their constituents,” said LeGeyt.

LeGeyt also talked about the vital role of broadcast radio and television in providing fact-based journalism in an age of disinformation on social media and digital platforms. LeGeyt answered questions from attendees about NAB’s efforts on Next Gen TV, the FCC’s review of media ownership rules and the upcoming NAB Show in April.

Click here to read more about highlights of the event. Learn about the issues broadcasters are discussing with members of Congress here.