Broadcasters, Telecom Firms Offer Help For Haiti
U.S. broadcasters and telecom companies are pitching in to help relief efforts for Haiti after the country was devastated by a major earthquake earlier this week. The National Association of Broadcasters said Thursday that a public service announcement featuring First Lady Michele Obama and detailing "critical earthquake relief information" will be available Friday for download on NAB's public service Web site by radio and television stations.
The NAB also encouraged broadcasters to produce localized public service announcements urging help for the Haitian relief efforts and called on stations to participate in the group's "Broadcasters for Haiti Day" on Feb. 1 by dedicating airtime on that day for "fundraising relief efforts, telephone banks, radiothons and telethons."
Meanwhile, Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., chairman of the Senate Commerce Communications, Technology, and the Internet Subcommittee, Thursday praised the efforts of several telecommunications companies in providing communications expertise, equipment and manpower to Haiti. "I'm in touch with industry leaders to try and mobilize more resources faster and greatly appreciate their efforts," Kerry said in a statement.
He noted that Télécoms Sans Frontières (TSF), a telecom humanitarian organization that provides emergency telecommunications services, is deploying two emergency teams to Haiti to set up emergency telecom centers for emergency first responders. In addition, CapRock Government Services is providing satellite phone services to U.S. military personnel sent to assist the relief effort, while Iridium has provided satellite handsets to the Defense Department, Federal Emergency Management Agency and TSF, Kerry said.
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