By Gloria Zuurveen
The Southern Truth
Now more than ever, local news needs a lifeline to keep the public informed and government transparency at the forefront. California lawmakers, in a late-night move, agreed to appropriate $10 million per year toward funding local news. At the same time, Google has committed an additional $10 million, making this a joint public-private investment in what is being called the New Civic Journalism Fund.
According to reports, this breakthrough came in the wee hours of Saturday morning, giving struggling local outlets a reprieve and a measure of relief from the devastating effects of digital monopolies.
Regina Wilson
California Black Media (CBM), under the leadership of Executive Director Regina Wilson, deserves high praise. Wilson has been diligent in keeping publishers, media owners, and stakeholders informed through weekly Zoom calls about SB 155 and its companion bill AB 155. She has broken down the complexities of the legislation, explained its implications, and kept the Black Press engaged throughout the process.
At the same time, some CBM members have voiced concerns about the California News Publishers Association (CNPA) appearing to have a larger presence on the state’s Advisory Board than other groups. This issue remains under discussion, and Wilson is actively working to ensure balance and fairness as the implementation phase unfolds and the funds begin to flow into local newsrooms.
At first, the California State Library was expected to oversee the distribution of funds. But in the final hours, responsibility was shifted to California’s Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GoBiz). This move has raised eyebrows and stirred some controversy, but with Wilson at the table—as a voice for the Black Press—there is reason to believe that the Black press will not be left out when it comes to benefiting from these taxpayer-supported funds.
As with any bill, the true measure of its impact depends not on the words on paper, but on the fairness and transparency of its execution. The Southern Truth must remind our readers: we are watching. We are watching GoBiz. We are watching Google. We are watching Sacramento lawmakers who promised that local journalism would get a lifeline.
