By: Casey Jones, President/CEO, Michigan Association of Broadcasters

This week, Michigan broadcasters flew to Washington, D.C., joining a record number of their colleagues from across the country to meet face-to-face with members of Congress and advocate on behalf of you, your stations, and the future of broadcasting.

On my flight to Washington, I had the unexpected privilege of sitting next to a Medal of Honor recipient from Michigan, James “Doc” McCloughan.

As we landed, I thanked him for his service. He handed me his challenge coin, looked me straight in the eye, and said something that set the tone for the entire week:

“You were worth it.”

The country. The people. The idea of it — were worth it.

On Wednesday, the MAB’s Executive Committee and members of the Legislative Committee met with each of our 13 Representatives’ offices and both Senate offices. These owners, managers,, and broadcasters from across the state walked into meetings prepared to talk about the future of local broadcasting and the communities we serve.

We had important conversations about:

• Modernizing broadcast ownership rules so local stations can compete in today’s media landscape;
• Advancing NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0) and the innovation it brings to emergency alerts and the Broadcast Positioning System (BPS), a redundant backup for GPS;
• Protecting AM radio in vehicles to ensure Americans continue to have access to free, reliable emergency information;
• Opposing a new performance tax that would harm local radio stations and the communities they serve.

We emphasized that each of these issues is critical not only to the future of broadcasting, but to the future of the communities we serve. Ensuring continued access to free, local broadcasting requires thoughtful public policy.

It was a moment of pride to represent this industry in Michigan, watching how our MAB delegation approached each conversation. They were informed, engaged, and passionately committed to preserving an industry that, at its core, serves communities. They took policy and told the story of why it matters.

• When severe weather hits, communities turn to broadcasters.
• When Friday night lights shine bright, communities turn to broadcasters.
• When a neighbor needs a meal, a warm coat, or financial assistance, communities turn to broadcasters.

For more than 100 years, Michigan’s broadcasters have rooted themselves in their communities with a proven ability to mobilize, connect, solve problems, and unite people more effectively than any other industry.

That responsibility matters.

The work to protect and strengthen local broadcasting matters.

The communities we serve matter.

The conversations we had in Washington this week are part of the work ahead to finish the job. Please, continue to have those conversations, whether in Washington or at home, and continue advocating for our industry through the stories that shape our communities.

Because the communities we serve, and this industry, are worth it.