State journalism commission’s work hampered by pandemic >Related stories
A state journalism commission, created to study the effects of “news deserts” and how to support local news outlets, is expected to have its deadline extended a full year to accommodate for challenges presented by the pandemic.
The commission was signed into law in January as part of the economic development bond bill. It is supposed to have a panel of 23 members who will study the effects of news deserts areas with little to no local news coverage and look for ways to support them. The commission is also expected to examine the sustainability of local news business models. State Reps. Brendan Crighton, D-Lynn, and Lori Ehrlich, D-Marblehead, are the only two people who have been appointed to the commission so far.
State journalism commission’s work hampered by pandemic >Published: 7/16/2021 5:50:56 PM
A state journalism commission, created to study the effects of news deserts and how to support local news outlets, is expected to have its deadline extended a full year to accommodate for challenges presented by the pandemic.
The commission was signed into law in January 2021 as part of the Economic Development Bond Bill. It is supposed to have a panel of 23 members who will study the effects of news deserts, areas with little to no local news coverage and look for ways to support them. The commission also is expected to examine the sustainability of local news business models. State Reps. Brendan Crighton, D-Lynn, and Lori Ehrlich, D-Marblehead, are the only two people who have been appointed to the commission so far.
BOSTON The growth of “news deserts” in Massachusetts and the possible solutions to improving local journalism in underserved communities will be the focus of a new commission approved in
State commission will explore ways to support local journalism
Newspapers GAZETTE FILE PHOTO
Published: 2/11/2021 2:21:04 PM
The growth of “news deserts” in Massachusetts and the possible solutions to improving local journalism in underserved communities will be the focus of a new commission approved in the final hours of the last legislative session.
The initiative by Rep. Lori Ehrlich, D-Marblehead, and Sen. Brendan Crighton, D-Lynn, was part of the massive economic development bill approved by lawmakers and sent to Gov. Charlie Baker last month. It will examine the sustainability of local press business models and the sufficiency of news coverage in communities across the state.