Ethnic Media Organizations Would Be Bolstered in Bill to Increase Community News Coverage

Fund for Public Interest Journalism Would Direct at Least 25 Percent of $50 Million in Grants over 5 years to Ethnic Media

 

SACRAMENTO – Ethnic media organizations would be eligible to apply for at least 25 percent of a $50 million fund under Senator Steve Glazer’s bill to bolster community news at a time when local news coverage has been decimated around California and assaults on democracy remain a growing concern.

 

The bill, SB 911, cleared a key Senate committee and now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee. If approved by the Legislature and signed by the Governor, the $50 million grant would be distributed over five years.

 

“Ethnic media organizations have taken a larger economic brunt than most during COVID, and have historically faced more significant hurdles than most in keeping their news operations afloat,” said Senator Glazer, D-Contra Costa. “Ethnic communities have been particularly vulnerable to misinformation filling the voids left behind by shuttered newsrooms. This bill would help ensure that people around the state have access to news and information that is important to their lives and to the vital upkeep of democracy.”

 

To make sure that even the least equipped or cash-strapped news organization has access to the fund’s resources, technical assistance will be available to grant applicants, under SB 911. They also would be accessible to limited-English speaking and non-English speaking individuals.

 

The focus and priority would be funding the needs of news organizations publishing in or for historically underserved communities and news organizations in geographic parts of the state that have suffered from a decline in media coverage. The bill also creates a 25 percent set aside for small community news organizations.

 

“Local news organizations serving under-represented communities are an essential component of many communities,” said Senator Monique Limon, D-Santa Barbara, a co-author. “Unfortunately, they have faced historic hurdles that have been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. SB 911 will assist in their continued recovery to ensure these important sources of information remain economically strong and present in communities that rely on them for news and information.”

 

Here are key components to the bill:

 

• At least 25 percent of the grants would be allocated to California-owned ethnic news organizations, and 25 percent to locally and community-based news organizations.

 

• In awarding funds, the board would prioritize news organizations publishing in or for historically underserved communities and news organizations in geographic parts of the state that have suffered from a decline in media coverage.

 

• The board would be composed of 15 members (5 chosen by the Governor, 4 chosen by legislative leaders of both parties; and the remaining 6 by the board). When making appointments, the governor, legislators and remaining board members will consider candidates from historically underserved communities that have suffered from a decline in media coverage of local public and civic affairs.

 

• Appointees would be chosen to ensure the commission reflects this state’s diversity, including racial, ethnic, class, geographic, disability, and gender diversity. The nine members making the final six appointments would appoint at least two small and ethnic media representatives.

“We know that our neighborhoods and communities stay connected when news organizations focus on issues important to us – through ethnic newspapers and TV and radio stations,” said co-author Assemblymember Cristina Garcia, D-Bell Gardens.

“I’m coauthoring this bill because the corruption you see in Southeast LA County is in part because we don’t have strong independent newspapers to report on what local governments are doing,” Assemblymember Garcia added. “Without that, our democracy is vulnerable and you end up with scandals like the one in the City of Bell that prompted us to start BASTA. For many communities the ethnic newspapers, TV, and Radio are the trusted, and often only, source of information. They are our frontline to inform, prevent corruption, and keep our democracy strong. This bill recognizes that, and makes it a priority for ethnic media organizations to win state grants to help cover their communities.”

Nationally, more than 2,100 newspapers out of 9,000 — almost 25% — that were being published 15 years ago have failed.

 

The number of communities that had their own newspapers in 2004 and now have no original reporting whatsoever, in print or digitally, had grown to 1,800 from 1,300.

 

In California, there has been a 24 percent decline in newspapers, from 481 to 366, in the period 2004-2019. Circulation has dropped by nearly half, from 13 million to 7.2 million.

 

SB 911 is co-authored by Senators Monique Limon, D-Santa Barbara, Josh Becker, D-San Mateo, Henry Stern, D-Malibu, and Bob Archuleta, D-Pico Rivera, and Assembly member Cristina Garcia, D-Bell Gardens. Principal co-authors are Senators Ben Allen, D-Santa Monica, and Josh Newman, D-Fullerton.

 

“A vibrant media is critical to holding those in power accountable for their actions, and for offering a free flow of accurate information that builds an informed citizenry,” Senator Glazer said. “A free and fair press, with deep roots in the community, opens up the world around us and provides insights into events and actions of taking place in the communities where we live. And, it is the ethnic community newspapers and outlets that are historically the main source of original reporting in their communities.

 

“This fund would play a crucial role in helping revive community journalism, which is at the heart of strengthening our faith in democracy,” Senator Glazer added. “The grants would be directed to places where credible news coverage is scarce and to communities that traditional media have long ignored. It’s important to the health of our democracy that local ethnic media organizations can thrive.”