LIBN joins more than 100 NY newspapers in coalition to advocate for local journalism

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A statewide group of local news organizations, comprising over 100 local newspapers in New York, launched The Empire State Local News Coalition, a joint advocacy effort to advance a legislative package that would deliver long-term sustainability to the sector.

Long Island Business News and it BridgeTower Media sister publications Rochester Business Journal and the NY Daily Record are among the organizations participating in the coalition.

The coalition is launching at a watershed moment for the journalism industry— and our democracy. Since 2005, more than 3,000 newspapers have closed across the country, resulting in thousands of layoffs and countless communities losing essential platforms for sharing their stories. New York state has experienced a 40% decrease in newspapers between 2004 and 2019. Since then, the number of journalists has halved and there has been a 60% decrease in overall circulation. There is a growing number of communities with little to no access to local newspaper coverage: 13 New York counties are down to just one newspaper, and Orleans County is the first with no local newspaper at all.

The decline of local journalism is a threat to the health of our democracy. Research shows there is a direct correlation between the breadth of local media coverage and levels of civic engagement—an especially significant factor in an election year. If newspapers continue to shutter, communities across the state risk being effectively disenfranchised, losing the ability to shape policy conversations and hold local officials accountable.

“In the fabric of our communities, independent local newspapers serve as the vital threads weaving together stories of triumphs and challenges, keeping us connected to our neighborhoods and shared experiences. Amidst the dynamic landscape of state legislation and the relentless march of technological progress, small independent local newspapers stand as sentinels of truth, weathering the storm of economic uncertainty and digital disruption. Future legislation will not only provide a sturdy base for local journalism, but as a result, bolster the sustainability and resilience of small businesses and communities,” said Bradley Waters, president and publisher, Sentinel Media Co.

The Empire State Local News Coalition is championing a robust legislative package that ensures local papers will survive through the 21st century and beyond. Key priorities include:

• The Local Journalism Sustainability Act (S.625B/A2958C): Sponsored by Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal, this bill provides tax credits to local news outlets for the employment of local news journalists. This critical bill ensures New York’s journalists and supporting workers will have job stability while paving the way for more hiring opportunities and an expanded workforce in the future.
• Incentivizing small businesses to advertise in local media. This win-win proposal would incentivize local businesses to advertise in local media, driving revenue for hometown papers, while connecting businesses with their customers.

A 2022 analysis found approximately 354 newsrooms in New York State would benefit from the local journalism payroll tax credit. This includes 53 newsrooms in New York City, with 21 of them being ethnic media outlets serving BIPOC communities.

“More than ever, we still need local, responsible organizations which collect, research and disperse, for public edification the news and information vital to a community. These organizations are independent local newspapers. Thanks to the internet and social media, many disparate personal and specialty niches build audiences among themselves, often casually; they can be vital and entertaining within the niche. But the serious job, the mission, or serving a broad, inclusive community of neighbors, falls on the shoulders of traditional local newspapers. The best ones are of, for and about local people and issues, and they serve by following dependable schedules, no matter how slow business might be in a particular period.  Supporting them and sharing information with them can give exponential returns,” said Dozier Hasty, publisher, Brooklyn Daily Eagle.