Washington, D.C. (September 2024) – Last week, while the United States (and probably the world) was preparing for the great showdown between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, the Dallas Weekly was doing that and joining in in a concerted effort to advocate for the future of local journalism.
Organized by Judy Gawczynski, VP of Membership, the Dallas Weekly was proudly invited to attend the News Media Alliance’s pivotal “Support Journalism Fly-In”. Here, the Dallas Weekly joined advocates from across the nations in Washington D.C. to meet with lawmakers on Capital Hill and emphasize the critical role of quality journalism in a democratic society. Coinciding with the highly-anticipated debate and the Congressional Black Caucus, the gathering brought together news executives, journalists, and industry advocates to push for fairness for local publications.
The lobbying efforts brought to the table discussion of several issues that are currently impacting small publishers, including the impact AI technology, big tech and advertising compensation, postal rates and potential tax breaks for publishers. Though at the forefront was the Journalism Competition and Preservation Act (JCPA).
The JCPA, for some, is considered a lifeline for local journalism. The JCPA, a bipartisan bill introduced in Congress, aims to level the playing field between local news outlets and tech giants like Google and Facebook. Backed by U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) who happened to be a key figure in negotiating the bill’s language with the Senate Judiciary Committee, the JCPA seeks to help local publications play ball with big tech companies that are effectively monopolies.
While big tech companies often dominate the digital advertising market, the lopsided profit sharing, as a consequence, often leaves local news organizations struggling to generate revenue. The JCPA is meant to grant local news outlets the right and power to collectively negotiate with these tech platforms for fair compensation for the use of their content.
Dallas Weekly was invited to meet with members of the offices of Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and John Cornyn (R-TX) and Representatives August Pfluger (R-TX 11) and Chip Roy (R-TX 21). Joining Dallas Weekly’s managing editor, Marlissa Collier in this trek across Capital Hill were Texas media powerhouses Donnis Baggett, President of the Texas Press Association and Leonard Woolsey, Publisher of The Galveston County Daily News. Over the course of the day, the team visited members of congress, emphasizing the need for legislation that would allow local news outlets to sustain operations and continue serving communities.
Another set of quiet but powerful challenges addressed were the postal delays and price increases that have become a growing concern for local news outlets. These challenges have significantly impact the distribution and timeliness of newspapers and other printed materials – leading to delays in delivery, reduced circulation, and increased costs for local news organizations.
In fact, throughout the day on The Hill, Dennis Baggett would point to a growing graveyard, filled with local publications and would pinpoint the most recent addition, the Lindale News and Times – a 124 year old publication that closed it’s doors in September due to financial hardship that was only perpetuated by rising postal costs and lagging delivery times.
During the Fly-In, in a show of both concern for local publications and a commitment to solution-based lobbying, the team would request support for the Deliver for Democracy Act, that would require on-time delivery of periodicals and unlock additional rate authority in an effort to insulate small news organizations from rising costs and longer delivery times.
The Fly-In also breached the topic of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, a federal law that provides immunity to online platforms for the content posted by their users. This means that websites, social media platforms, and other online services are generally not liable for the defamatory or harmful content posted by their users, as long as they do not actively edit or remove the content.
But, Section 230 has been a controversial topic in recent years, with journalists arguing that it shields tech platforms from taking responsibility for the spread of harmful content, such as disinformation and misinformation. This can have serious consequences, especially since journalists often rely on social media platforms to distribute their work and reach audiences. The concern is that the spread of misinformation and the potential for censorship can negatively impact the credibility and reach of journalism.
Lastly, the team offered up personal experiences to members of Congress, centered on their belief that without policy changes, the industry, craft and calling would be taken into the hands of tech giants that are held to extremely lack standards. Marlissa, who also serves as the Program Coordinator for Dallas Free Press’s Journalism Pathway, a program aimed at fostering a new generation of journalists from South and West Dallas, two historically underserved communities, voiced concerns for the future of news and storytelling if falling revenues continue to drive down earning potential.
While the News Media Association fly-in was a significant step forward in the fight to preserve local journalism, there was clear concern mentioned by members of Congress about the ability to get things done quickly – specifically concerning AI. Worried that Congress is what was described as a “reactive body”, representatives of these congressmen suggested that Congress just didn’t yet have enough information about the technology to make a decision.
In the meantime, NMA says it is pushing forward. The JCPA offers a promising solution to the challenges faced by news outlets, and its passage could have a profound impact on the future of local news. As the bill continues to make its way through Congress, the news industry remains hopeful that policymakers will recognize the vital role of local journalism and take action to support its survival.