Blumenthal Joins Resolution Recognizing the Importance of Local News

[HARTFORD, CT] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) today joined 14 of his Senate colleagues in introducing a resolution designating April 2023 as “Preserving and Protecting Local News Month.” The resolution recognizes local news as a public good that serves an essential function in the democracy of the United States.

“Local news organizations are priceless pillars of our communities and absolutely essential to our democracy. As disinformation has run rampant across the internet and social media platforms, local news has been a steady drumbeat fighting against this scourge and keeping people informed. I am proud to introduce this resolution honoring local news organizations and the essential public service they provide,” Senator Blumenthal said.

According to research, the overall employment in newspaper, television, radio, and digital newsrooms in the United States fell by 26 percent, or 30,000 jobs, from 2008-2020. More than 100 local newsrooms were forced to close during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 30 percent of local television stations reporting budget cuts and staff reductions. The resolution affirms the significance of local news in increasing civic engagement and strengthening democratic norms and practices, and acknowledges the valuable contributions of local journalism toward the maintenance of healthy and vibrant communities.

The resolution is led by Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) and co-sponsored by Senator Blumenthal (D-CT), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.), Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.).

The resolution has been endorsed by PEN America; Alliance for Community Media; Free Press Action; National Press Photographers Association (NPPA); Native American Journalists Association (NAJA); Writers Guild of America, East. AFL-CIO; Ethnic Media Services; Society of Environmental Journalists; Society for News Design; Common Cause; Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO; National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ); Native Public Media; Public Knowledge; Society of Professional Journalists; Theatre Communications Group; National Newspaper Association (NNA); National Writers Union (NWU); and National Association of Broadcasters (NAB).

The full text of the resolution is available here.

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