Members of the Media Guild of the West voted overwhelmingly last week to weigh in on a California bill that would fund “public interest” media.
Spurred by the collapse of the traditional business model for local journalism, California Senate Bill 911 would create a board to “fund and promote independent, local, public service news coverage.”
Journalists are all-too familiar with the need for a new business model: the number of journalists was reduced by half in the 15 years between 2004 and 2020, pay is way too low, and news coverage is suffering. And the crisis in local journalism has left in its wake more corruption, fewer competitive elections, more wasteful government spending, and lower awareness of elected officials.
But California’s SB 911 didn’t emerge from the state’s journalism community.
MGW members wanted to be sure journalists would have input on public policy about journalism and that ethical considerations would be taken into account:
- Public funding should be stable and insulated from partisan control or corrupt influence;
- It should support independent journalism that fills a void in the community;
- Grants to private entities should favor need and ability, not medium or ideology;
- Publicly funded journalism should be free or widely available to the public;
- Publicly funded journalists must expect fair labor standards.
“I commend MGW members and encourage Guild members across the country to join similar debates and help advocate for state and federal laws that will ensure the future of vibrant local news,” said NewsGuild President Jon Schleuss.
“There is active legislation right now to support journalism at the U.S. federal level and in states like California, Wisconsin and Colorado. I know for a fact that the boss and corporate executives are actively lobbying for legislation — we have to engage and make sure our voices are heard too,” he said.