Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai thanked radio and television broadcasters Monday 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 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.”
For its part, 97.9 WHAV FM is pleased to have expanded hourly local newscasts to accommodate breaking news, safety information and notices of food programs, cancellations and postponements; increased the number of morning interviews with newsmakers on the front lines of the pandemic; provided special coverage of the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce’s Dollar-for-Dollar Gift Card Program; aired public service announcements on COVID-19 protections; restored live broadcasts of Haverhill City Council and School Committee meetings upon City Hall closing; increased the number of podcasts and where they may be heard; and more thanks to the financial support of WHAV sponsors and members.
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.