Local TV and radio stations ensure communities are informed and have a powerful voice to engage on important issues. Carrying the mantle of investigative journalism in local communities, broadcast journalists combat disinformation, protect consumers and fight corruption.

In America’s Stories, we explore a few recent examples of broadcasters’ investigative journalism, including stories about environmental contamination and government accountability. Learn even more about broadcasters’ good work in your community at WeAreBroadcasters.com.

This kind of fact-based, trusted local journalism is why radio and TV stations are at the heart of our communities. But the overwhelming power of Big Tech gatekeepers is threatening Americans’ access to quality local journalism.

Broadcasters rely heavily on advertising revenue to produce and support local news operations. Tech giants control the share of ad revenue they retain and determine the amount passed on to news publishers, who bear the costs of producing the quality journalism that financially benefits these platforms.

Not only do tech giants pose major threats to advertising revenue, but they are gatekeepers of online content, exerting power over what internet users access and how advertisers reach them. As this recent Washington Post article points out, social media platforms would rather deny their users vital news and information than compensate the news industry for quality local journalism.

Many members of Congress are already working on solutions that will allow broadcasters and other news publishers to negotiate with Big Tech about how their content can be shared online. Tell your legislators how much you value your local stations and ask them to stand up for listeners and viewers like you by supporting the Journalism Competition and Preservation Act.