Community media organizations — from low-power FM to community radio stations coast to coast — play a vital role in America. NFCB speaks out in support of community media and the importance of public funding to this precious public/private partnership. We encourage all Americans to be engaged in the story of community media and to share why it is important.

The National Federation of Community Broadcasters has acted in the interests of community radio. We illustrate its importance to America’s diverse communities. Our advocacy work includes:

• Educating the public about community media. Community radio boosts cities and towns across the United States, by bringing music, ideas, culture and the arts to life. These media organizations contribute to local economies, creating jobs and improving commerce. In addition, public media serves a critical role as part of the nationwide Emergency Alert System, passing on advisories and information to the public in times of disaster or emergency.
• Defending public funding for educational media. Educational media was funded through the Communications Act that President Johnson signed in 1967.
• Community Counts Coalition. Spearheaded by NFCB in alliance with partner organizations, the coalition was formed to bring the collective community media voice to local and national policy tables; to maintain and expand Corporation for Public Broadcasting funding for community media organizations, and to convey the importance of cultural and regional diversity in media.
• Speaking on issues of importance to community media. NFCB lends its voice to a variety of matters that are relevant to community media organizations.