We’re drowning. In a sea of alternative ad spaces, digital classifieds, and a population less an less willing to pay for their daily news fix, the journalism industry is struggling to survive. This is not for a lack of interest or demand, but more of a perception issue. Our readers know of our struggle quite well; all you have to do is turn to page 5. But most people think their local paper is doing better than it actually is, much to the detriment of the industry.

In 2019, a study published by Pew Research found that while 71% of U.S. adults believe their local news media are doing well financially, only 14% said they had actually paid for local news themselves in the past year, either through subscribing, donating or becoming a member. Add that to the watering down of ad revenue by social media platforms like Facebook and the dissolution of classifieds to free digital listing platforms like Craigslist (yes, people still use Craigslist), and you get a dire situation where most newspapers can only survive by media consolidation or private handouts.

Imagine a true local news desert; you can already see it in some of the bigger papers around. Each story will have a little disclaimer: “Originally published by the Associated Press,” or some other national media outlet. Fewer truly local stories, replaced by national ones, mainly chosen for their popularity or sensationalism rather than their local interest or newsworthiness. It’ll happen before you even realize it. In fact, many “local” papers have already taken those steps. It helps give the appearance of regular content while removing the cost of having boots on the ground. Meanwhile, no one is paying attention to their town board meetings. No one is highlighting area heroes, or young entrepreneurs, or even new community ventures. But someone on TikTok did something outrageous and everyone on Mastadon is talking about it! Cringe, wince, weep all you want. That future is not far-fetched. In fact, it is probably only one big financial crisis away for most local media outlets.

One bill could go a long way in preventing such a bleak, rudderless outlook. NYS Senate Bill S625A (and its Assembly companion bill A2958a) wants to give local newsrooms a payroll tax credit to help compensate their journalists. As written, the law would establish a quarterly payroll credit for newsroom employers in an amount equal to 50% of wages paid to full-time local journalists making up to $50,000 a year. This bill will help keep professional journalists employed locally while allowing media owners to offset the rising costs of paper, gas, postage, and other business expenses.

The great thing about this bill is that it doesn’t cover the papers that have been swallowed up by major media conglomerates. It also doesn’t cover any fly-by-night operations (because the paper needs to be insured to qualify). But it will cover your favorite Ellenville-based newspaper, as well as papers like the Sullivan Democrat and the River Reporter, and even our digital-only sister paper the Kingston Wire.

Similar bills have been introduced during previous legislative sessions, both at the state and national level. But without enough grassroots support and local interest, they never made it to the governor’s, or president’s desk. This year one of our own local senators has co-sponsored this cause: Sen. Michelle Hinchey (D-41). But others, like Sen. Peter Oberacker (R-51) or Sen. James Skoufis (D-42), have not yet signed on. So we’re asking your help to push this bill to the finish line. Let your political reps know how much you need local news preserved by sending emails, letters, and even phone calls describing how important it is to help local newspapers alive and healthy enough to attend every town board meeting, every major media event, and every other local happening you care about.

Research has shown that a decline in local journalism leads to a decline in civic engagement, public health and safety, cost of government borrowing, and even a risk to the survival of small local businesses and community organizations that rely on local media to make their businesses and events known. So you wouldn’t just be saving your local newspaper, you’d be safeguarding the future of your entire community. And as a bonus, we can stop bugging you for donations as often!

If this sounds like a cause you’re willing to get behind, contact the governor's office and ask her to incorporate S625A/A2958a into her budget. Her office can be reached in Albany at 518-474-8418, New York City at 212-681-4640, or via email at press.office@exec.ny.gov.