| ICYMI: Decline in Local Newspapers Sparks Accountability Crisis |
This accelerating trend will result in more “news deserts,” a phenomenon that occurs when a community lacks a credible source for local news.
Key Points:
Rise of News Deserts: Currently, the US only has roughly 6,000 newspapers, down from nearly 9,000 in 2005. More than two newspapers close each week, and a majority of those surviving publish only once per week.
Erosion of Accountability: News deserts exacerbate political polarization and civic disengagement, especially in high-poverty areas. Without an independent local press, many communities in news deserts are left without an independent government watchdog, making it more difficult to hold rogue government officials accountable. A study led by University of Notre Dame found that “following a newspaper closure, municipal borrowing costs increase by 5 to 11 basis points.”
They even increase pollution. A study in the Journal of Environmental Economics and Management found that when newspapers reported on pollution from consumer manufacturing plants, their toxic emissions were reduced by 29%.
Spread of Misinformation: The vacuum left by local news’ decline has led to a media landscape where many individuals can fall victim to misinformation spread online via social media.
Seeking Solutions:
The California Journalism Preservation Act (AB 886 – Wicks) is one way to save local news, fight misinformation, hold local government officials accountable and, ultimately, protect democracy.
Independent journalism is a core pillar of American democracy, yet it is under constant threat from Big Tech. Dominant tech platforms like Meta and Google use sophisticated tactics that deprive local news publishers of deserved ad revenue. They profit off the work done by local journalists without compensating them fairly — or at all.
In order to ensure that newsrooms are being fairly compensated for their work, the California Journalism Preservation Act will require Google and Meta to come to the table to negotiate fair terms for the use of publisher’s valuable content.
Bottom Line:
The decline in local news poses a democracy-threatening crisis, underscoring the need for a solution like the California Journalism Preservation Act (CJPA). The CJPA is critical to bringing balance back to the currently-broken news marketplace and ensuring that more Californians have access to quality independent journalism.
In order to explore the relationship between the spread of misinformation, the decline in local news and the rapid expansion of digital platforms, California State Senator Tom Umberg (D-Santa Ana) will be holding an informational hearing about the Importance of Journalism in the Digital Age on December 5 in Los Angeles.
To learn more about the CJPA, visit www.Yesab886.com
