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Legislation To Bolster Local News Introduced In Both Chambers Of Congress

Brian Bull
/
KLCC

A plan for bolstering local news was recently introduced by several U.S. Senators, including Oregon Democrat Ron Wyden. 

The Local Journalism Sustainability Act would give tax credits to news outlets for hiring more reporters and incentivizing subscriptions and advertising.  Eligible organizations include newspapers, digital publications, TV, and yes…radio stations like this one.

Credit Brian Bull / KLCC
/
KLCC
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR)

Senator Wyden said democracy benefits most when local news is strong.

“As the son of a journalist, local news is in my DNA.  And I know full well the importance of local news to keep Oregon communities informed and to hold officials accountable.” 

Wyden added that without local news, misinformation and disinformation often flourish, as seen with social media’s treatment of the COVID-19 vaccine.  A House version of this bill has also been introduced.

Read the text of the Local Journalism Sustainabilty Act (Senate version) here

Copyright 2021, KLCC. 

Brian Bull is a part-time reporter for the KLCC News department, and first began working with the station in 2016. He's been a senior reporter with the Native American media organization Buffalo's Fire, and a journalism professor at the University of Oregon.

In his 30 years working as a public media journalist, Bull has worked at NPR, Twin Cities Public Television, South Dakota Public Broadcasting, Wisconsin Public Radio, and ideastream in Cleveland. His reporting has netted dozens of accolades, including four national Edward R. Murrow Awards (25 regional), the Ohio Associated Press' Best Reporter Award, Best Radio Reporter from the Indigenous Journalists Association, and the PRNDI/NEFE Award for Excellence in Consumer Finance Reporting.
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