Opinion: $175M California journalism agreement sparks debate on industry impact and inclusivity

INDIANAPOLIS — The Society of Professional Journalists calls on California decision makers to ensure that August 21’s groundbreaking agreement between California lawmakers and Google to provide new funding for news outlets serves as a genuine step forward in reversing our nation’s alarming decline in newsroom employment.

The first-in-the-nation partnership will provide $175 million for local journalism across California and will fund an AI research program. News outlets report that the deal departs significantly from legislation promoted by both news publishers and media employee unions earlier in the year.

“It is concerning that journalists appeared to lose their seat at the table as this initiative was negotiated,” said SPJ National President Ashanti Blaize-Hopkins. “At the very least journalists should be deeply involved in how this plan will be rolled out, as it could potentially impact their livelihoods.”

Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) led the effort and said, “this partnership represents a cross-sector commitment to supporting a free and vibrant press.” California news publishers will be beneficiaries of a News Transformation Fund, which will be administered by University of California, Berkeley, Graduate School of Journalism.

The Media Guild of the West and the Pacific Media Workers Guild denounced the agreement, citing the omission of support for journalist-run news cooperatives, among other concerns.

“As other states study this effort for lessons on how to bolster local journalism, I hope California leaders will set an example that both centers and honors the input of working professionals who fight tirelessly to keep the public informed,” Blaize-Hopkins said.

*SPJ was founded on the DePauw University campus in Indiana in 1909 by a group of 10 students interested in journalism careers and upholding high standards in the profession. For the past over a century, SPJ has become the largest professional journalists organization in the nation with membership from broadcast, print and online journalists, journalism educators and students. SPJ champions journalists by recognizing outstanding achievement, fighting to protect press freedom, promoting high ethical standards and educating new generations of emerging professionals.

Editor's Note: Wind Newspaper since its launch in 2020 has been a member of the San Francisco Media Policy Working Group where members are all local print and online news media serving different communities to advocate for local journalism.

On August 21, 2024, Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) announced her legislation AB 886 to secure an agreement with the California State and major tech companies to establish a fund with a goal of supporting the work of California journalists and saving jobs in California newspapers.

AB 886 has brought on wide-ranging debates among news organizations and the industry across the country. Wind Newspaper keeps the community informed with the industry's opinions on AB 886. Their public statements are reprinted in our Open Forum section in print edition as well.