Resolution 995 – Calling for Passage of the Local Journalism Sustainability Act 

Whereas democracy in the United States is in serious danger, and

Whereas a free press is one of the bedrocks of a healthy democracy and a fundamental right guaranteed by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, and

Whereas the former U.S.president attempted to erode that right by characterizing the press as an “enemy of the people,”* and

Whereas the consolidation of the press in the hands of a few corporations severely limits the avenues by which a free press can do its job, and

Whereas these local newspapers have been losing advertising revenue which is the primary financial resource supporting publication and staffing; and

Whereas Senator Maria Cantwell’s office released a report stating that over the past twenty years the local newspaper industry has lost approximately 70% of its total revenue and newspapers have released more than 40,000 journalists (accounting for 60% of the journalistic workforce); and

Whereas the Local Journalism Sustainability Act (LJSA), introduced by Senator Cantwell in the Senate and Representatives Kirkpatrick and Newhouse in the U.S.House of Representatives (H.R.3940), is a $1.67 billion, ten-year effort to reverse these losses by providing local media with tax incentives supporting subscribers, advertisers and the hiring of reporters; and 

Whereas, Senator Cantwell stated in a Senate floor speech, “The tax incentives in this bill will help local newspapers, digital-only news journalists, and broadcast newsrooms remain financially viable to retain and hire local base journalists to cover local news stories;”

Now therefore be it resolved that the WSDCC thank Senator Cantwell for her leadership on this important issue and urge passage of the Local Journalism Sustainability Act by the US Congress; and

Be it further resolved that copies of this resolution be distributed broadly to members of the U.S. Congress and specifically to Washington State’s representatives and senators.

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