Press Release
Waxman on the Future of News: ‘This Is a Policy Issue’
Contact: Timothy Karr, 201-533-8838
WASHINGTON -- In a speech at the Federal Trade Commission on Wednesday, Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, identified policy priorities to support the future of news. "This is a policy issue," said Waxman of the current state of journalism. "Government is going to have to be involved in one way or another."
Waxman urged policymakers in both parties to look into how they can support new legal or tax structures for media organizations, foster more philanthropic support, explore new sources of journalism, and consider more public funding for quality journalism, among other issues.
Josh Silver, executive director of Free Press, made the following statement:
"Chairman Waxman was spot-on in his call for better policies to foster quality journalism. Government has played an important role in news and journalism since its earliest days. As the media landscape evolves, policymakers have a responsibility to the public to create policies that can support better journalism and newsgathering in the Internet age."
"Working hand-in-hand with journalists and the public, policymakers will have an important role to play in making sure that all or communities can get the news they need to be active participants in our democracy. We applaud the Federal Trade Commission and leading lawmakers are taking on these crucial issues."
Watch video highlights of Waxman’s speech:
Waxman urged policymakers in both parties to look into how they can support new legal or tax structures for media organizations, foster more philanthropic support, explore new sources of journalism, and consider more public funding for quality journalism, among other issues.
Josh Silver, executive director of Free Press, made the following statement:
"Chairman Waxman was spot-on in his call for better policies to foster quality journalism. Government has played an important role in news and journalism since its earliest days. As the media landscape evolves, policymakers have a responsibility to the public to create policies that can support better journalism and newsgathering in the Internet age."
"Working hand-in-hand with journalists and the public, policymakers will have an important role to play in making sure that all or communities can get the news they need to be active participants in our democracy. We applaud the Federal Trade Commission and leading lawmakers are taking on these crucial issues."
Watch video highlights of Waxman’s speech:
