How can we rescue a local news industry on the brink, before it's too late?
We stand together.
Great journalism informs us, inspires us and connects us. And it’s on the brink of extinction. As ad revenues and budgets dwindle, outlets have been closing at an alarming rate. And as the proliferation of dangerous conspiracy theories fill that void and threaten our collective ability to separate truth from fiction, facts have never mattered more.We needed to act. It’s why we launched a nationwide initiative called Protect Our Press.
Making the pledge.
We have always needed our local press, and their role within communities has never been more needed. But now the tables have turned. We needed a way to get everyone involved in helping preserve professional journalism in their communities. It’s why we came up with pledges for different groups to take.
Agencies: Commit 20% of their programmatic budget to news sites
Brands: Review and rethink their approach to local news investments
Publishers: Create smarter, better value deals for program participants
Individuals: Reconsider the value of local news publication and subscribe
The unfortunate truth is in the numbers.
62%
Decline in local news ad revenue
2,100
Local newspapers have closed their doors
1,300
News deserts with no dedicated local news coverage
47%
Fewer professional journalists