The Empire State Local News Coalition is championing a robust legislative package that ensures local papers will survive through the 21st century and beyond. Key priorities include:
- The Local Journalism Sustainability Act (S.625B/A2958C): Sponsored by Sen. Hoylman-Sigal, this bill provides tax credits to local news outlets for the employment of local news journalists. This critical bill ensures New York’s journalists and supporting workers will have job stability while paving the way for more hiring opportunities and an expanded workforce in the future.
- Incentivizing small businesses to advertise in local media: This win-win proposal would incentivize local businesses to advertise in local media, driving revenue for hometown papers while connecting businesses with their customers.
A 2022 analysis found approximately 354 newsrooms in New York State would benefit from the local journalism payroll tax credit. This includes 53 newsrooms in New York City, with 21 of them being ethnic media outlets serving BIPOC communities.
“Professionally-reported, fact-checked local news forges community, keeps elected officials in check and strengthens democracy. This important legislation would help fortify our business and allow us to keep reinvesting in high-quality local journalists,” said Adam Stone, publisher at Examiner Media in Westchester.
“Democracy places a responsibility on citizens to be informed so they can effectively participate in the electoral process and in local government. A trusted local news source is essential for that to happen. Healthy communities need an unbiased news organization to connect, enrich and inform citizens,” said Bill Shumway, editor & publisher of North Country This Week. “This legislation would ensure we can continue covering local government meetings each month as part of our comprehensive coverage of six village and town boards, a city council and the county legislature in St. Lawrence County.”
“The bottom line is…
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