Dear Newspaper Colleagues –

Posted

As you probably know by now, the Local Journalism Sustainability Act (HR 7640) was filed in the House of Representatives, and as an industry we now have a solution to reference moving forward. This bill directly addresses the critical components of the journalism ecosystem (readers, business owners and journalists) and can provide meaningful support to your newspaper as our industry continues to evolve.

There are three things that need to occur to move this effort forward:

  1. We need your effort and focus in educating our federal representatives on this matter now. As a leader of your organization, please call your local representatives (US House and Senate) and let them know of the serious challenge facing your newspaper and local journalism and that we need their leadership by cosponsoring this bill. We are seeking 100 cosponsors from across this country and political ideology. (Even if this bill doesn’t move, it can be the framework for seeking relief in the next COVID-19 relief package.)
  2. Educate your readers through local editorials on the tenants of this act, and why supporting local journalism and the ecosystem that serves it will only enhance the place they call home. Resources and sample editorials are available at http://newspapers.org/local-journalism-sustainability-act/.   
  3. Please let me know the response you get from your representatives and how we can assist you in this process.

We have an opportunity for this effort to be understood by lawmakers now and over the next few weeks as the stimulus package discussions occur. With united efforts and voices in concert, we will ensure that your newspaper — and local journalism in general — has the best chance to succeed as an independent institution to help provide oversight the way our founding fathers intended ... essentially staying true to its principles and our founding documents.  

Thank you for taking action today,

Dean Ridings
CEO, America's Newspapers