Why public policy
Government is not the only solution to the crisis in local news—but smart public policy is essential. Why?
The crisis is severe – and beyond the capacity of only philanthropy. Since 2000, newspaper advertising revenue dropped $40 billion – an 81% decline. The consequences are significant – more corruption, higher taxes, lower voting turnout, more polarization.
Local news is “a public good” – a service that may not always be profitable but has great importance to a community. Think elementary schools, hospitals and libraries. In those cases, public policy needs to help.
Public policy has helped the media at key moments in American history – The government has devised policies that are nonpartisan and First Amendment friendly. Here’s what we can learn from history.
Time is of the essence. If we don’t, we will enter into a grotesque era of “tribal news” on the local level. Trustworthy local information will be replaced by social media garbage, partisan harangues and misinformation. Instead, we need an era of “civic news.”
There are solutions that would help without undermining editorial independence. Here’s how.
To be safe and effective, public policies to help media need to be:
No ability for government officials to steer money to favored news outlets
No bias toward a particular medium, print vs. broadcast vs. digital
No government official deciding who gets what
The crisis is local. That’s where the focus should be
OUR PLAN
The Coalition pulled together a comprehensive plan that would double the number of local reporters while preserving editorial independence
POLICY MENU
Here are some of the most promising policy proposals to rebuild local news, including support for hiring and retaining journalists, tax credits for small businesses that advertise with local news, and more.
Community News & Small Business Support Act
In an effort to counter the collapse of local news at the federal level, Rep. Claudia Tenney, a conservative Republican from New York, introduced a new bill to significantly strengthen community news across the nation. It would provide:
- A tax credit for small businesses to advertise in local news outlets
- A payroll tax credit for local news organizations to retain or hire local reporters
Replanting
There are more than 6,000 local newspapers that are struggling. Often, they are owned by big chains or hedge funds. Some of these could be “replanted” back into communities with policies that help local nonprofit groups or residents acquire the papers and control them locally.
Grants
Direct government grants to news organizations can be fraught – but there are ways to do it without endangering editorial independence.
Regulating Tech Platforms
Some lawmakers have proposed legislation compelling Facebook and Google to pay news organizations for their content. The Coalition is neutral on this.
State & Local Efforts
Many of these ideas – and others – are being tried out in states and cities, including interesting proposals in Wisconsin, New Jersey, California and others.
ACTION BULLETINS
The Coalition issues bulletins guiding local news organizations or foundations on how they might be able to use public policy to help survive. Recent bulletins included: How newsrooms have leveraged American Rescue Plan funds and how journalists can navigate public service loan forgiveness.