WASHINGTON — West Virginia's two U.S. Senators, Joe Manchin, D, and Shelley Moore Capito, R, led a bipartisan coalition of senators urging the federal government to provide relief to local newspapers and broadcasters amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 74-member group sent a letter to Russell Vought, acting director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, discussing the toll the pandemic has taken and a potential solution.

"Our radio and television broadcasters and rural newspapers provide local and national news, emergency alerts, educational programs, and more to all corners of the United States," the letter says. "In many rural areas, broadcast stations are the predominant or only form of local information. It is important that local media are able to continue to provide their services during the COVID-19 pandemic so that Americans are able to stay up to date with the latest news and information."

The letter goes on to say that many newspapers and broadcasters are seeing significant losses in revenues resulting from decreased advertising as the pandemic continues.

The senators believe the federal government can help alleviate this by disseminating essential information to the public through local advertisements as well as allowing state and local governments to use federal funds to publicize new programs and information in the same way.

Doing so, the senators write, will serve the dual purpose of getting information to communities while also support local media with revenue to help keep them operating.

According to the letter, this can be done "without the need for additional federal appropriations from Congress."

"We strongly believe that local newspapers and broadcasters play an integral role during the COVID-19 pandemic and making sure that stations are able to continue operating during this time is critical," the letter says. "We therefore encourage the Office of Management and Budget to work with federal agencies throughout the government to increase advertising in local newspapers and on broadcast stations in order to help ensure they are able to continue to operate throughout the COVID-19 pandemic."