For many years, audiences have been moving away from traditional cable television and toward streaming services. That shift has directly reduced the cable franchise funding that community media stations like AWCM depend on to provide local coverage, government meetings, school events, sports, community programs, and more.

 

Massachusetts now has an opportunity to modernize community media funding. Bills H.91 and S.2556 — An Act to Modernize Funding for Community Media Programming — are currently before the House and Senate Ways and Means Committees.  These bills would help update the funding model so community media centers can continue serving residents in a media world that has changed dramatically.

 

If you value AWCM and the local coverage we provide for Ashburnham and Westminster, please contact your State Representative and State Senator and ask them to support H.91 and S.2556 and help move these bills forward.

 

Every voice matters. Your support can help keep local media alive and strong for the future.