Letter to the Hon. Hans Vestberg, CEO of Verizon Communications - Lowey, Engel and Bipartisan Group of Members of Congress from New York and New Jersey Call on Verizon to Reinstate FIOS1 News

Letter

Dear Mr. Vestberg:

We are writing with great concern over the impact that canceling the contract between Verizon and RNN would have on our constituents and your consumers. Ending this contract would shut down Fios1 News, a major contributor to original programming, and threaten the robust free press that drives our democracy in New York and New Jersey.

For the last 10 years, Fios1 News has played a crucial role in not only providing award-winning local coverage but also providing jobs that enrich our regional economy. We are troubled that ending this contract would result in a loss of 150 jobs and put almost 100 local journalists out of work. As we have seen from the cuts and consolidation in print media, local journalism is irreplaceable, and these cuts would do great harm.

Verizon's plans to replace Fios1 News will fail to provide the diverse programming that is so critical to our communities. We believe it is Verizon's responsibility to offer original, hyper-local news programming to ensure competition in these local news markets. Therefore, we write on their behalf to request that Verizon reconsider its actions and commit to reinstating Fios1 News in New York and New Jersey.