U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) and fellow lawmakers recently took action to promote the importance of local news sources.
According to Schatz’s website, last month the senator led a coalition of his fellow senators to introduce a resolution that would declare April 2022 “Preserving and Protecting Local News Month.”
“People across the country rely on local news to stay informed, fight disinformation and strengthen their communities,” Schatz said, according to his website. “As the industry faces newsroom closures and budget cuts, it’s critical that we all support and recognize the irreplaceable public service local news provides.”
The resolution recognizes “local news as a public good that serves an essential function in the democracy of the United States.” It is cosponsored by by U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA), Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA), Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA).
As part of his efforts to bolster local news, Schatz previously reintroduced the Future of Local News Act, which would establish a committee to analyze the state of local journalism to guide lawmakers on how to take action to best support local news organizations.
The legislation has the support of numerous businesses and companies, including: the Alliance for Community Media, California Black Media, National Association of Black Journalists, National Press Photographers Association, Native American Journalists Association, Online News Association, Society of Professional Journalists, Writers Guild of America East, National Association of Hispanic Journalists, National Newspaper Association, Department for Professional Employees, the AFL-CIO, The News Guild and National Writers Union.
