The future of independent, local journalism is at an inflection point. More than 2,500 local newspapers have closed their doors in the past 20 years – leaving communities across California without access to an independent source of local news or an independent government watchdog.
Local journalism’s importance to democracy cannot be overstated. At its core, journalism holds power to account, providing transparency and scrutiny that are fundamental to a functioning democracy.
This is particularly true at the local level, where government decisions directly impact residents’ daily lives. Local investigative journalism has been instrumental in uncovering significant scandals, from municipal corruption to local environmental hazards, with each instance underscoring how a free press protects the public at-large. So much governing in California is done at the local level, cities and counties. Without reporters watching these local bodies, important decisions and spending can get lost.
But with the local news in a free-fall, all of these public benefits are at risk.
The decline in local news has been fueled by Big Tech. Their predatory business practices have not only disrupted traditional media’s business model, but completely broken the news media market.
Advertising revenue, once the financial backbone of news publications, has shifted dramatically to tech giants like Google and Meta, which use news without adequately compensating the content creators. And when ads do get placed on news sites, Google uses its control of the internet advertising ecosystem to take up to 70% of the advertising spend before it ever reaches publishers. This economic reality has led to the closure of many local news publications and a reduction in the quality and quantity of journalism. The result is “news deserts” where communities lack critical information, making it harder for democracy to function effectively.
In order to try to save local news, State Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) introduced the California Journalism Preservation Act (AB 886). The bill aims to fix the broken news market by requiring tech companies to pay for the news content that drives much of their traffic and ad revenue. This act is not just about preserving journalism jobs; it’s about preserving democracy. By ensuring that news organizations are compensated for their work, the CJPA helps sustain the economic viability of journalism, particularly at the local level.
The bill is critical to the survival of news publications like ours. It’s gone through a major renovation over the course of the past year, and we believe that amendments to the bill make it even stronger. Some of the changes include:
- Setting aside more money for small local and ethnic papers
- Steering funds towards publishers who produce content for Californians
- Incentivizing and rewarding the hiring and employment of journalists
Passing the CJPA is a crucial step towards reversing the decline of local journalism. It represents an investment in the very fabric of democracy, ensuring that communities are informed, engaged, and empowered.
The bill is currently sitting in the Senate Judiciary Committee, and we’ve been told to expect action by the end of the month. If Legislators are serious about protecting and investing in democracy, they must send the CJPA to the governor’s desk for signature. The fate of local journalism rests in their hands. The stakes could not be higher.
