FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 24, 2020
Yesterday, the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) joined PEN America and over fifteen other journalism groups in supporting new legislation by U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) to support local journalism.
The Future of Local News Commission Act would create a commission to study the state of local journalism and offer recommendations to Congress on the actions it can take to support local news organizations. Facing COVID-19, the role and existence of local and independent publishers are more critical than ever.
Published below is the full news release:
As Local News Organizations Across The Country Struggle To Stay In Business, Schatz, Bennet, Klobuchar Introduce New Legislation To Bolster Local Journalism
Local News Provides Important Public Service By Covering Stories That Matter To Communities, Holding Local Governments Accountable
Thursday, September 24, 2020
WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) introduced new legislation aimed at rescuing the struggling local news industry. Local news organizations play a vital role in American democracy, reporting on stories that matter to communities and serving as a watchdog for municipal governments. However, an industry-wide transition to digital media and the pandemic-induced recession has led to a rapid decline of the local news industry. The Future of Local News Commission Act would create a commission to study the state of local journalism and offer recommendations to Congress on the actions it can take to support local news organizations.
“Families rely on local journalists to report on the stories that matter most to their communities. From the pandemic response to school boards to how tax dollars are spent, local news outlets provide essential information and perform an irreplaceable public service,” said Senator Schatz. “Our bill will help strengthen local news and keep the industry afloat during this tough time.”
“Local news is foundational to our democracy, but a convergence of forces – from consolidation to social media to COVID-19 – has pushed news rooms across America to the brink,” said Senator Bennet. “I worry deeply about an America without local reporters on the beat to hold officials accountable and engage citizens in the events shaping their communities. My hope is that this commission will – in a nonpartisan, sober, and thoughtful manner – come forward with recommendations to help reinvigorate local journalism across the country while preserving the independence vital to a free and robust press.”
“As the daughter of a newspaperman, I understand how important local news is to communities across the country. As Americans look to their local and regional news sources for information during this pandemic, it’s more important than ever that we keep local news strong,” said Senator Klobuchar. “A free press is vital to our system of government and the Future of Local News Commission Act would help ensure that we preserve the newspapers, radio stations, and broadcasters that keep their communities informed.”
As more news consumption moves online, the advertising-based business model that sustained local print journalism has collapsed. According to a report by PEN America, more than 2,100 local newspapers have shuttered in the last 15 years. Many of those that haven’t closed have been bought by hedge funds, subjected to relentless cost-cutting measures, and seen their newsrooms shrunk by nearly half. The current pandemic and resulting recession has only accelerated these trends.
In many places across the country, local news outlets are the only organizations reporting on local stories, holding local leaders accountable, keeping track of how tax dollars are spent, and informing communities about the stories that matter most to them. Also, as the country grapples with serious distrust of institutions, the spread of misinformation, and the threat of foreign interference in elections, local journalists remains a trusted news source that helps citizens make informed voting decisions.
This new commission, made up of 13 experts from diverse regions of the country, would be tasked with identifying specific actions Congress can take to respond to this local news crisis.
This legislation is supported by PEN America, Local Independent Online News (LION) Publishers, Alliance for Community Media, National Writers Union; Society of Professional Journalists; Ethnic Media Services; Online News Association, Free Press Action, National Society of Newspaper Columnists (NSNC), National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ), National Press Photographers Association (NPPA), Native American Journalists Association (NAJA), Society for News Design, Association of Alternative Newsmedia, American Journalism Project, Pulitzer Center, Writers Guild of America East, Department for Professional Employees – AFL-CIO, The NewsGuild – Communications Workers of America (TNG-CWA), Society of Environmental Journalists, National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), and Colorado Media Project.
The full text of the bill is available here.
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About the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ)
The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) is the largest organization of Latino journalists in the United States and dedicated to the recognition and professional advancement of Hispanics in the news industry. The mission of NAHJ is to increase the number of Latinos in the newsrooms and to work toward fair and accurate representation of Latinos in the news media. Established in April 1984, NAHJ created a national voice and unified vision for all Hispanic journalists. NAHJ has approximately 3,000 members, including working journalists, journalism students, other media-related professionals, and journalism educators. For more information please visit NAHJ.org or follow on Twitter @NAHJ.
Media Contact:
BA Snyder
Veritas Group for NAHJ
512.630.6337
BA@VeritasAustin.com