The loss of local news coverage has made it difficult for residents to stay informed, make decisions about voting, and participate in municipal and civic affairs.
However, there is a glimmer of hope that this trend can be reversed.
After a campaign season spent boosting Trump, Sinclair looks set to grow even bigger thanks to the president’s appointees at the Federal Communications Commission.
The News Integrity Initiative, the $14-million news project launched out of the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism, announced its first 10 grantees, which include Free Press’ News Voices project.
CHARLOTTE, NORTHCAROLINA — Members of the media are encouraged to both participate in and report on the News Voices: North Carolina event on Sat., Aug. 26, at 1 p.m. in Charlotte.
After New Jersey sold its public television licenses for $332 million, the Senate and Assembly majority leaders proposed establishing a fund that would pay for journalistic initiatives and civic-information programs through partnerships with state universities. The state would put $20 million a year for five years into the fund.
Free Press noted that Sinclair’s practice of forcing stations to promote an extreme conservative perspective and distort local news actively threatens the well-being of marginalized communities across the nation, specifically communities of color and immigrants.
Grassroots effort to tap into cash from the sale of public airwaves will continue through the summer and into 2018 if need be, Free Press Action Fund organizers say.
