American Community Media (ACoM), the oldest and largest nationwide coalition of ethnic, in-language, and hyperlocal media outlets, today released its 2026 Impact Report covering July 2025 through June 2026. It documents how ACoM’s network of 1,282 media partners reached more than 65 million people across 42 communities and more than 40 languages.
In 2025-2026, ACoM’s website page views grew 63%, and its visitors grew 122% reflecting the expansion of our news briefings, news exchange, reporting fellowships and advocacy for the sector.
- 78 virtual news briefings
- 198 stories syndicated through ACoM’s Ethnic Media Newswire
- 27 in-person convenings
- 157 fellowships
- $1M+ in direct revenue invested in the sector
“From the time we started in 1997, till today, our work supporting this vital sector of journalism, particularly educating and engaging isolated In-language immigrant audiences and rural communities about changing federal policies on immigration and public service benefits, has never been more urgent. This report shows the hybrid model we’ve developed to do it,” said Sandy Close, founder of ACoM.
The report also details ACoM’s advocacy for the sector in collaboration with media reform groups in California and nationwide. Policy wins in 2026 include a $15 million state package renewing the Propel Initiative through 2028, a $10 million state extension of the California Civic Media Program matched by Google for $40 million in total, and enactment of AB 2222, the Community NEWS Act, which provides a refundable payroll tax credit for newsrooms.
“In a year when journalism took a shellacking, ethnic media kept the trust of the communities they serve,” said Jaya Padmanabhan, Executive Director of ACoM. “This report shows what that trust makes possible and how millions of people get the information they need to take part in our democracy.”
In 2023, ACoM began replicating our model in Houston, the country’s third most diverse city. Today, Houston Community Media (HCoM) hosts the first-ever cohort of 45+ ethnic news outlets working together across ethnic, racial and generational lines.
Looking ahead, ACoM plans to continue to grow its national network, roll out a texting platform for media partners, and grow the Community Media Marketplace, a digital platform that lets ethnic and community media collectively compete for major advertising campaigns.
See the full report.
About American Community Media
Started in 1997 as New America Media, and formerly known as Ethnic Media Services, American Community Media (ACoM) is the oldest and largest nationwide coalition of ethnic media. Its mission is to enhance the visibility and viability of ethnic media, ensuring all voices are heard and all stories are told in our multiracial democracy. Learn more at americancommunitymedia.org
