PAWTUCKET – U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (RI-01), who recently led 123 Republicans and Democrats in a letter urging support for local news in the next COVID-19 relief package, issued the following statement tonight:

“A thriving news industry is critical for any democracy. Local news outlets have been getting hammered for years, and this pandemic has made things even worse. That’s why I am pleased that the next COVID-19 relief package will make Rhode Island newspapers, radio, and television stations eligible for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. This is an important lifeline for trustworthy sources of local news that will help them continue to serve our communities.”