California-based save local journalism act advances

California assembly member Blanca Rubio’s Assembly Bill 323, which requires state agencies to give preference to local news organizations, specifically ethnic media and community organizations, in contracts and subcontracts for marketing and outreach advertising services, has passed the Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee by a unanimous 5-0 vote.

Rubio stated:

“A functioning democracy is dependent on a well-informed constituency. The demise of newspapers will mean many lost jobs, and will leave many communities without local journalism.
“As an immigrant to this country that represents an extremely diverse section of Los Angeles County, I am particularly concerned about the future of ethnic media. In my district alone, I am aware of at least 46 ethnic news publications that provide service in my community. In fact, my Father, who is now 80 years old, has relied on La Opinion as his primary source of news for many years. The decline in community news is not only costing us jobs, but it is also harming both ethnic communities and seniors who are accustomed to getting news from physical papers.”

AB 323 is now going to the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration.

Mariam Ahmed

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View Comments

gail cronin says:
August 20, 2020 at 6:19 pm
Hi
My husband and I deliver the Press Enterprise in the am. You are doing a great service to all
the folks who want to read the paper but also the carriers. We have been carriers for some time
and this gives us a chance to get out and due something other then sitting at home. Our customers want the paper and call when it is not delivered on time. We do it to supplement
our income and it is good for our brains remembering all the address.
Again thank you
Gail and Wally
will keep looking for more info on this bill