May 11, 2020

FOLLOWING HIS PUSH, SCHUMER ANNOUNCES UPCOMING EMERGENCY COVID-19 LEGISLATION WILL PROVIDE FEDERAL RELIEF TO UPSTATE NY’S LOCAL NEWSPAPERS, TV STATIONS, AND RADIO; SENATOR SAYS LOCAL MEDIA – THE LIFEBLOOD OF OUR COMMUNITIES – ARE STRUGGLING AMIDST THE PANDEMIC AND MUST BE ELIGIBLE FOR SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF TO SURVIVE

NY’s Local Newspapers, Radio, and TV Stations Losing Major Revenue During Ongoing Public Health Crisis; Some NY Outlets Are Losing Up To 80% Of Usual Advertising Revenue

Schumer Says Local News Is Essential To Communicating General Information and Targeted Public Health Information To Upstate New York Communities, Fighting Life-Threatening Spread of Misinformation

Schumer: Small Business Loans Critical To Protecting Local Media

A long-time advocate for New York’s local news outlets, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that the upcoming COVID-19 legislation that the House of Representatives will soon unveil will include fixes he strongly advocated for to make local newspapers and radio and television stations eligible for forgivable loans through the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), something the industry has sought as a means of survival. Schumer explained that under current SBA policy, local news outlets that are one of many locations of a business or are owned by a parent company or investor or part of a franchise are currently not deemed to be small businesses making them ineligible for PPP loans. Schumer fought hard to ensure the House of Representatives included fixes that would make eligible New York’s local newspapers, radio and television stations that would otherwise be considered small businesses if not for the existing SBA policies.

“Local news outlets are the glue that keeps communities in Upstate New York informed and stitched together, and during these uncertain times, they are more vital than ever,” said Senator Schumer. “Each day, Upstate New York’s local newspapers, television and radio stations give millions of New Yorkers up-to-date information on the pandemic; it’s local impact; and what they need to know to get through and begin to rebuild. That includes providing news reports on public health information and school and business closures that are specific to communities and serve an important role in fighting life-threatening misinformation about COVID-19. I fought hard to get these fixes to this legislation because just like any other small business in New York, access to this federal funding could be a vital lifeline for local news outlets that are losing major advertising revenue and suffering huge financial losses. I will fight to make sure it stays in when it comes over to the Senate because New York’s local media needs and deserves all the help we can offer – and they need it now.”

“Local radio and television stations continue to broadcast life-saving COVID-19 news and information to citizens throughout New York State despite catastrophic declines in advertising revenue,” said David Donovan, President of the New York State Broadcasters Association. Unfortunately, many local New York stations were not eligible to obtain PPP loans under existing rules. By permitting local stations access to the PPP program, the legislation ensures that consumers will continue to receive essential COVID-19 related news and information. We want to thank Minority Leader Charles Schumer for his leadership and support on this critically important issue.

“Millions of New York State residents turn to a local newspaper for vital information about their communities,” said Diane Kennedy, President of the New York News Publishers Association. “This accurate information has never been more important than it is right now. A local newspaper is often the sole source of community news in many areas of upstate New York. Despite suffering a catastrophic loss of income, newspapers throughout the state are providing journalism about COVID-19 to all readers free of charge. We are heartened to know that Senator Schumer, a longtime champion of the free press, is once again intervening to preserve citizens’ access to local news.”

Schumer said that the access to PPP funding would help local news outlets across the nation, some of which have seen up to a 75 to 80% loss of advertising revenue amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Upstate New York alone has over 80 local TV stations that have been integral to informing New Yorkers about social distancing guidelines, mask recommendations, stay-at-home orders, and school and business closures.

With an increase in the number of new cases reported in New York on Saturday, Schumer says that local news outlets will continue to serve a vital part in keeping New Yorkers informed and safe in the coming days.

To expand eligibility for PPP loans to local newspaper and radio and TV station small businesses, the legislation proposes the following:

Local newspapers, radio and television stations will be treated as independent, non-affiliated entities for the purposes of determining eligibility for PPP.A PPP loan received by a local newspaper, radio or television station must be used to support the provision of local news, information, content, or emergency information by that outlet.
- Waives SBA affiliation rules to ensure local newspapers, radio and television stations are able to access PPP loans as long as they meet the SBA size standards for a small business. This ensures that local media small businesses are not blocked from accessing assistance because they are owned by a parent company or investor or part of a franchise.
- Local newspapers, radio and television stations that are part of businesses with more than one physical location are made eligible for PPP loans as long as their single physical location meets the SBA size standards for a small business.
A PPP loan received by a local newspaper, radio or television station must be used to support the provision of local news, information, content, or emergency information by that outlet.
Local newspapers, radio and television stations that receive PPP loans must be able to demonstrate to SBA that the loan is necessary to support expenses associated with the continued provision of local news, information, content, or emergency information.
The Treasury Department and Small Business Administration are required to provide reporting to Congress, including the COVID-19 Congressional Oversight Commission, on any loans made to local newspapers, radio and television stations that are part of a franchise, parent company or investment company.

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