Greens communications spokesman Scott Ludlam said today the Government should allocate funding in the May budget towards investing in Australia's 436 community broadcasting stations.

With 70 per cent of community broadcasting licences in rural and regional areas, the sector plays a vital role in keeping Australians informed and bringing communities together, he said.

"This is all the more important at times like these, when the community is under mounting financial pressure," Senator Ludlum said in a statement.

"Community broadcasting ... can help build this cohesion."

The sector has been overlooked but the Government has an opportunity to turn that around in the 2009 budget, he said.

Senator Ludlum said community broadcasters have called for $14 million in funding for content development, infrastructure and training.