U.S. Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA) recently asked Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai to ensure his constituents have immediate access to in-state programming that enables them to receive state-specific updates during the coronavirus pandemic.
Specifically, Rep. Collins pointed to four counties in Georgia’s Ninth Congressional District — Franklin, Elbert, Hart, and Stephens counties — that are deemed orphan counties, meaning they don’t receive in-state programming, but instead receive programming from the neighboring states of South Carolina and North Carolina.
“This means nearly 94,000 of my constituents are currently getting their ‘local’ news from other states,” Rep. Collins wrote in an April 2 letter sent to FCC Chairman Pai. “In recent weeks, I’ve heard from several constituents worried they will miss an important coronavirus-related order issued by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp or that they will miss updates regarding the number of Georgians affected by this pandemic.”
“It is unacceptable that Georgians cannot receive the information they need in the midst of a global health emergency simply because media conglomerates are weary to make the fix,” the congressman wrote.
Rep. Collins added that since first taking office, he has worked with county officials and the FCC on this issue and was pleased when the commission’s Media Bureau approved the applications of all four counties.
However, three of the four applications from Georgia’s orphan counties were appealed, according to his letter.
“The time we currently find ourselves in demands that the three applications left on appeal, and any petitions or related documentation that require review, are expeditiously considered to ensure that these Georgians can receive critical news on the pandemic from their own state government,” Rep. Collins wrote, asking Pai to answer several related questions about the appeals.
In the interim, Rep. Collins urged urge the FCC, in conjunction with stations and satellite providers, to provide immediate access of Georgia channels to the four orphan counties in Georgia.