On March 12, Zachary Richner, founding member of the Empire State Local News Coalition — a statewide group of more than 150 print and online local newspapers fighting for the long-term sustainability of local journalism in New York — released the following statement on the New York State Senate’s inclusion of the Local Journalism Sustainability Act in its FY’25 one-house budget resolution:
“The Empire State Local News Coalition applauds Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, bill sponsor Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and the entire Majority Conference for including the Local Journalism Sustainability Act in the State Senate’s one-house budget resolution. Our coalition’s unprecedented mobilization of more than 150 New York local news outlets in just a few months sent a clear message to Albany: it’s time to support local journalism. Communities across our state are speaking up about the indispensable role of local news in safeguarding democracy and strengthening social ties amid a time of unprecedented crisis for the news industry. The Local Journalism Sustainability Act will incentivize the hiring of journalists and ensure that New Yorkers have access to the quality, independent local news they deserve.
“We’re thrilled that the Senate has answered the call, and urge Governor Hochul and the Assembly to support inclusion of this transformative bill in the final budget.”
About Empire State Local News Coalition:
The Empire State Local News Coalition is a statewide alliance of hometown newspapers dedicated to ensuring the long-term sustainability of local journalism in New York. Since 2004, more than 3,000 newspapers have closed across the country, resulting in thousands of layoffs and countless communities losing essential platforms for sharing their stories. If these alarming trends continue, New Yorkers from Oswego to Stony Brook are at risk of losing their ability to have their voices heard and shape public policy. To learn more, visit SaveNYLocalNews.com.
