Strengthening Local News Coverage in Under-served Pennsylvania Regions through Proposed Legislation
In the coming week, residents of several townships in the area can look forward to National Night Out events, as well as two school board meetings. Meanwhile, the local news landscape is undergoing a transformation, with efforts being made to strengthen reporting capacity and fill critical information gaps in underserved communities, particularly rural areas.
One of the key initiatives driving this change is the Pennsylvania's Local Legal Initiative. This program provides direct legal services to local news organizations, enabling them to pursue enterprise and investigative journalism. Led by Attorney Paula Knudsen Burke, the initiative has assisted journalists across the state, including those in rural areas, in gaining access to information from townships, counties, and state agencies. This legal support is crucial for holding local institutions accountable and increasing government transparency, which is vital for underserved communities where resources may be limited.
State Rep. Chris Rabb, D-Philadelphia, is another driving force behind the push for stronger local news coverage. Recognizing the importance of local news for an educated electorate, Rep. Rabb is filing legislation to reverse the collapse of community news and fill the "critical civic information gaps" in rural areas. His proposed bills aim to create the Pennsylvania Civic Information Consortium, an independent, nonpartisan body that would distribute grants to local newsrooms and nonprofit organizations.
One such news organization already making a difference is The Standard-Journal in Union County. The publication, along with The Daily Item, provides some coverage of the region. The Standard-Journal employs a dedicated reporter for Union County, Gawhara Abou-eid, who covers municipal governments and school boards. Despite this, Editor Kevin Mertz acknowledges that there are times when they would cover more stories if they had more reporters.
To address this issue, Rep. Rabb's second bill proposal aims to create a state fellowship program for local outlets. This program would place early-career journalists in community newsrooms across the state, thereby strengthening reporting capacity. All types of news outlets would be eligible for the fellowship program, whether for profit, nonprofit, or new startups.
Shari Jacobson, a professor of anthropology at Susquehanna University, regularly reads national and international news but finds it difficult to stay informed about local news in Lewistown and Pennsylvania's Union County. This sentiment is shared by many, as local issues such as access to medical care, lack of broadband internet, and loss of farmland to solar fields often go uncovered in local news.
The lack of widespread internet in the area poses significant challenges, making it hard to run a small business and causing difficulties for children missing school. Rep. Rabb believes that the lack of local news has led to the "devaluing of democratic institutions," hyperpartisanship, and an ill-informed electorate.
Rabb's interest in community news stems from his grandfather, who founded The Baltimore Afro-American in 1892. His proposed initiatives are modeled after New Jersey's own consortium, which has awarded over $10 million to 32 grantees, producing thousands of stories and supporting initiatives like The Jersey Vindicator, Radio Rouj & Ble, and the South Jersey Climate News Project.
As next Tuesday approaches, the community prepares for events and meetings, while the future of local news in rural Pennsylvania is being shaped by state-level efforts and community initiatives. These efforts hold the promise of increased transparency, accountability, and a more informed electorate, ensuring that local issues receive the coverage they deserve.
[1] Source: Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association, Local Legal Initiative, available at https://www.pna.org/local-legal-initiative/
- The Pennsylvania Civic Information Consortium, a body proposed by State Rep. Chris Rabb, aims to distribute grants to local newsrooms and nonprofit organizations for education and self-development purposes, which is crucial in enhancing the knowledge of the electorate about local politics and general news.
- Attempts to strengthen reporting capacity in rural areas are evident in the Pennsylvania's Local Legal Initiative, which provides direct legal services to local news organizations, enabling them to delve deeper into lifestyle, politics, and general news topics, increasing government transparency and enhancing accountability.
