Local News Matters: Public policy as a tool to support local news
Sep 26, 2023
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This podcast explores the challenges of government involvement in local news and emphasizes the importance of public policy in supporting the industry. Topics include the decline of local news, opportunities at the state level, maintaining mental well-being as a reporter, and the future of local news with public policy support.
Public policy can be used to support local news organizations and address the systemic challenges they face.
Government involvement in local news must strike a balance to protect editorial independence and prevent misuse of funding.
The decline of local news has negative consequences, including lower civic participation, increased polarization, and more misinformation.
Deep dives
The Need for Public Policy to Support Local Journalism
Rebuild Local News, a coalition that supports local news initiatives, aims to use public policy to revitalize and sustain local news organizations. By advocating for policies like tax credits for small businesses advertising with local news and a refundable payroll tax credit for newsrooms that hire or retain local reporters, the coalition addresses the systemic challenges facing the industry. While acknowledging the importance of diverse revenue streams, including nonprofit newsrooms and philanthropy, the coalition believes that public policy can play a pivotal role in supporting local news without compromising editorial independence.
The Perils and Benefits of Government Involvement
The conversation in the podcast episode focuses on the perils and benefits of government involvement in local news. While government support can be instrumental in ensuring the sustainability of local news, there is a need to strike a balance to protect editorial independence. The episode highlights historical examples of government support for the media, such as the Postal Act of 1792, which subsidized newspapers' postage costs. Drawing lessons from history, the episode suggests that public policy measures should be designed to preserve editorial independence and create objective standards to prevent the misuse of government funding.
The Consequences of Declining Local News
The decline of local news has significant social and civic consequences. The podcast episode discusses the decline in the number of reporters, newsroom employees, and advertising revenue over the past 15 years, leading to the closure of thousands of newspapers across the country. This decline has resulted in a lack of coverage in communities, lower civic participation, more misinformation, and increased polarization. The episode emphasizes that access to reliable and trustworthy local news is vital for the functioning of democracy and the well-being of communities.
The Importance of Local News as a Public Good
Local news, like schools, libraries, and hospitals, is considered a public good that benefits the community. While local news has traditionally operated as a commercial business, there is increasing recognition of its role as a civic institution and the need to prioritize serving the public. The discussion revolves around the need for both nonprofit and for-profit models in local news organizations. Nonprofits are seen as better suited for accountability reporting, while for-profits can focus on community journalism. Efforts are being made to support and sustain both types of entities through public policies and financial incentives.
Supporting Ethnic Media and Underserved Audiences
The podcast highlights the importance of ethnic media and its role in serving minority audiences. It emphasizes the need to support both mainstream and ethnic media to ensure diverse and inclusive coverage. The Ad Boost Initiative in New York City is mentioned as a successful example of government intervention in advertising spending to support small community newspapers, particularly ethnic publications. The need for more equitable distribution of public advertising funds is advocated. Additionally, the podcast addresses the significance of serving underserved audiences in smaller towns and rural areas, calling for policies that can revitalize legacy institutions and fill the gaps left by news deserts.
If you enjoyed our episode on civic media, you'll want to check out this episode the podcast Local News Matters, which explores issues in local news and democracy. The show highlights the innovative work of local newsrooms and the crucial questions they face about their role in American democracy.
This episode features an interview with Steve Waldman, the founder of Rebuild Local News, a nonprofit focused on using public policy to support journalism. In this episode, Steve talks host Tim Reagan-Porter about the history of public policy as it relates to news, the perils of government involvement, the nuances of crafting policy that balances multiple goals and concerns, and the state of local news. Steve also reflects on his time at Report for America, shares reasons for optimism and offers advice for young journalists trying to balance careers and their mental health.
