Every week at All Saints Church we put our faith into action. The death of local and ethnic news outlets that provide unbiased, community-rooted reporting and keep our electorates informed is an under-appreciated threat to our democracy. This week we are urging our state legislators to support and strengthen local media by passing SB 911 that would create the California Board to Fund Public Interest Media, which would be patterned after the California Public Broadcasting Commission.

An independent free press, particularly local and ethnic media publications, are critical for sustaining the health of our democracy. The evidence shows that newspaper closures and staff reductions are associated with lower voter turnout, less informed voting, and even increases in polarizing partisan voting patterns. Local and ethnic media educate and engage our community members, do critical investigative reporting, and give voice to communities of color, helping elevate the diverse issues facing California. And as local and ethnic media disappear, online mis- and dis-information rush to fill the void.

Local news also plays a critical watchdog role in keeping local government and businesses accountable and uncovering corruption. As local press coverage decreases, those in power operate with less oversight, fewer citizens find out about bad actors, more incumbents go unchallenged, and winning candidates’ margin of victory grows. Businesses have been found to be more likely to harm the environment when not covered by local press.

But we’re in trouble. California has lost a quarter of its newspapers and half of its newsroom staff in the last 15 years. SB 911 tries to push back on that trend. The bill would create the California Board to Fund Public Interest Media, an independently run nonprofit, to distribute $25 million in public funds to local and ethnic media. The bill would also authorize the board to accept federal grants, and gifts, donations, bequests, or grants of funds from private sources and public agencies for these purposes. The bill would require the board to do various things, including encouraging independent, local public service news coverage and awarding grants to individuals or organizations while providing an opportunity for verbal and written public comment on the grant applications under its consideration.

We deserve a thriving news ecosystem that enables local communities to tell their own stories and know what is important in their own region. If SB 911 passes, this historic investment in local and ethnic news outlets could be game-changing for the state — ensuring residents and voters have access to trustworthy local news.

SB 911 takes a significant step in supporting California’s news ecosystem, and we need to act now in letting lawmakers know the importance of this issue.

Options to Take Action:

1. Sign the Action Letters at the Action Table outside the church on Sunday morning.
2. Download a copy of the Action Letter that you can sign and mail.
3. Participate in the action at the Common Cause website.

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If you ever need to look up your member of the U.S. House of Representatives or your U.S. Senators check here: www.house.gov and www.senate.gov.

To find contact information for your California State Senator or California State Assemblymember check here: www.senate.ca.gov and www.assembly.ca.gov.