Attacks on public media trigger international concern
The UK Community Media Association sends a letter of support
Yesterday, the Community Media Assistance Project received this letter from the UK Community Media Association, a company limited by guarantee based in London.
We are happy to publish it in its entirety.
CMA Statement of Support for US community, local and public media
June 2nd, 2025
The UK Community Media Association (CMA) stands in ongoing support with efforts to sustain local, community and public media across the US at resource and policy levels, in the face of governmental moves to defund public media and threaten non-profit organisations including community radio. These attacks on community, local and public media are attempts to undermine the amplification of independent voices that these platforms make possible; and would remove the main source of emergency information for many places.
In the UK, the US and around the world, community-led, local media provides a range of important programming, incorporating everything from local news coverage to health information provision to promotion of regional arts and music. Community, local and public media remain a trusted alternative to for-profit, syndicated programming which increasingly lacks a sense of geographical place and personal connection.
The importance of on the ground, local information provision from community radio and media became acutely apparent at the start of the Covid pandemic, when many turned to their local radio station for accurate updates and for community support when many felt increasingly isolated. Today, community radio and media continue to fulfill this essential role for their local communities.
The CMA works to support community radio and media in the UK in recognition of its ongoing cultural and social value. We offer our solidarity and support to community and public radio and other media in the US currently facing profound uncertainty.
The Community Media Association (UK)
This FCC Actions Alert is produced by the volunteers at the Community Media Assistance Project under the direction of CMAP Executive Director, Betty McArdle. We monitor many sources of information about the Federal Communications Commission, federal communications law, and community developments important to your station and your community. The information provided in this newsletter is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial or legal advice. Always consult with a qualified professional before making any decisions based on the content herein. If you have a news tip, please email us at betty@c-map.org.
Communications Act of 1934, Sect. 326.
Nothing in this Act shall be understood or construed to give the Commission the power of censorship over the radio communications or signals transmitted by any radio station, and no regulation or condition shall be promulgated or fixed by the Commission which shall interfere with the right of free speech by means of radio communication.