The Local Journalism Sustainability Act is a bipartisan bill that provides a pathway to financial viability for local newspapers, in print or online, through a series of three tax credits. Such publications were already facing financial hardships prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, which have only worsened over the last year.
Local Newspaper Subscription Credit
This credit will grow publications’ subscription bases by incentivizing Americans to subscribe to local newspapers.
Local Newspaper Journalist Compensation Credit
This credit will provide publications the ability to hire more dedicated local news journalists to improve their newsroom coverage.
Local Newspaper and Local Media Advertising Credit
This credit will provide small business financial flexibility to spend on advertising in local newspapers and media.
Definition of Local Newspaper
For the purposes of this bill, local newspaper is defined as a print or digital publication if:
Definition of Local News Journalist
For the purposes of this bill, local news journalist is defined as an individual employed by a local newspaper who:
Sample letter to send to your local representative (seeking support as co-sponsor):
Download from most browsers as a Word document (excluding Chrome)
View letter on our website
Or request that it be emailed to you: cdurham@newspapers.org
Additional downloads:
Download the text of the bill — H.R. 3940 and S. 2434
Download a one-page flyer about the bill
Here are three things you can do to help move this legislation forward