Rebuild Local News Commends the National League of Women Voters for its Important Commitment to Local News

The national League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to defending democracy and empowering voters, has adopted a significant and proactive resolution to advocate for robust public support for local news organizations nationwide. Approved by a majority vote of 859-63, the resolution authorizes League members to lobby for legislation aimed at rebuilding local news.

Spurred by the local news crisis, the League’s decision arose from a report by the Washington state League members who tracked the decline of local newspapers both statewide and nationally, titled “The Decline of Local News and Its Impact on Democracy.” The report documented that between 2005 and 2020, about 2,100 of the country’s newspapers have vanished, along with half of journalism jobs and newspaper subscribers. The losses, the report highlights, left residents of 1,800 communities in news deserts.

In a statement, Rebuild Local News President Steven Waldman said:

“The local news crisis extends far beyond the challenges faced by journalists and newsrooms – it strikes the very heart of our communities’ civic health. For one of the preeminent civic organizations in American history to lead this charge is a transformative development. It underscores the urgent necessity of revitalizing local news for the well-being of our democracy.

Thank you to the Washington state league and the national delegates who voted to make this a priority.”

The League’s new position states it is the government’s responsibility to provide support and create conditions that allow credible and ethical local journalism – of any format – to thrive. However, it also stresses that while the government should support local news, it must not interfere with news coverage.