Bustos, Aderholt Seek GAO Review of Government Ad Spending

Reps. Cheri Bustos, D-Ill., and Robert Aderholt, R-Ala., asked GAO Thursday to “conduct a comprehensive review of current government agency advertising expenditures,” citing declines in local media ad revenue during the pandemic. They want GAO to update its 2016 evaluation of government ad spending, which the agency said averaged almost $1 billion annually for 2006-15. They want the new review to focus on spending for FY 2015-20 and examine in which media government agencies are placing ads, including “national television, local television, local radio, national newspapers, local newspapers, digital news sites, Internet search engines” and “social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.” Local ads are "an easy way for our government agencies to provide much-needed support,” said News Media Alliance CEO David Chavern. Such materials are "recognized as an effective way to keep the public informed,” said NAB CEO Gordon Smith. GAO didn’t comment.