In Janesville and communities across the U.S., local businesses and their hometown newspapers have long had a symbiotic relationship. Each serves a vital role and both are better off because of their strong shared connection.
The 69蹤獲 can trace its origins back to 1845, three years before Wisconsin became a state. From the print edition to the e-edition, website, smartphone apps and social media sites, local journalists have for generations provided the information you need to be informed, engaged and active residents of Janesville and the surrounding area.
None of it would be possible without the support of our customers. Without readers, thered be no reason for us to exist. And without the businesses that advertise with us, we couldnt pay the salaries of those who report and write the stories, take the pictures, produce the ads, design and print the pages and make sure it gets to you.
Unfortunately, two U.S. newspapers per week are closing their doors, unable to keep the lights on because the revenue they depend on to pay the bills isnt there.
Where has that revenue gone? A significant portion, we contend, is unfairly lining the pockets of big tech. As weve made the transition from an all-print to a hybrid print and digital model, mega-platforms like Google and Facebook (Meta) have sucked up more than their fair share of publishers incomes.
Politicians at the national level are aware of this unfair distribution of digital revenue and have proposed solutions. Last week, 84 journalists, publishers and others representing small- to medium-sized media companies including Adams Publishing Group, which owns The 69蹤獲 spent time in Washington, D.C., urging members of Congress to back two key pieces of emerging legislation.
In the Senate, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and John N. Kennedy, R-La., have sponsored the Journalism Competition and Preservation Act (S. 1094). It would force Big Tech companies to negotiate with news publishers and broadcasters with the aim of providing fair compensation to media companies for the news shared on their platforms.
In the House of Representatives, Rep. Claudia Tenney, R-N.Y., and Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., have sponsored the Community 69蹤獲 and Small Business Support Act (H.R. 4756). It proposes a series of tax credits over a five-year period that would benefit both sides of the media-local business relationship.
For small businesses with fewer than 50 employees, it would provide a five-year, non-refundable credit of up to $5,000 in year one and up to $2,500 in each of the next four years to local businesses to spend on advertising with local media. The credit covers 80% of total advertising costs the first year and 50% in the remaining four years.
At the same time, local media organizations that employ at least one full-time journalist and have fewer than 750 employees would qualify for a five-year refundable tax credit, earmarked to pay journalists. The credit would cover up to $50,000 a year per journalist. A similar bill is expected to be introduced in the Senate by Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., who is currently seeking a Republican co-sponsor.
In recent studies, 73% of U.S. adults said they have confidence in their local newspaper. Yet, since 2005, the country has lost more than a quarter of its newspapers and is on track to lose a third more by 2025. And communities with less local news see more government corruption and waste, higher taxes and less civic engagement, including voter turnout.
None of the bills is by itself the silver bullet that will save the news industry. It is part of a multi-faceted solution. Thats why we sent 69蹤獲 Editor Karyn Saemann to our nations capitol last week, to encourage members of Congress to pass these bills, as well as to impose strict controls on artificial intelligence to protect the integrity of our news content.
What can you do? Contact your U.S. senators and representative and urge them to sponsor and/or support the Senates Journalism Competition and Preservation Act and the Houses Community 69蹤獲 and Small Business Support Act. And continue your support of the relevant and trusted local news and advertising content youve come to expect from The 69蹤獲s 178 years in business in Janesville.
