America's Newspapers Advocacy Center |
Standing Up for Local Newspapers and the Communities They Serve
America’s Newspapers is committed to strong, sustained advocacy at both the federal and state levels to protect and strengthen local, family-owned newspapers. Our focus is simple: ensure policies support financial stability, preserve professional reporting jobs, and keep trusted local news accessible in every community. As economic pressures continue to challenge the industry, we work to create an environment where local newspapers can thrive and continue delivering the independent, fact-based coverage communities rely on.
Local newspapers matter because they keep residents connected, hold public officials accountable, and provide reliable reporting that national media cannot replicate. When local news weakens, communities lose transparency, informed decision-making suffers, and civic life erodes. Advocacy isn’t a side project for us—it’s central to protecting the role local newspapers play in strengthening hometown economies, safeguarding democratic participation, and maintaining trust in public institutions.
Local newspapers matter because they keep residents connected, hold public officials accountable, and provide reliable reporting that national media cannot replicate. When local news weakens, communities lose transparency, informed decision-making suffers, and civic life erodes. Advocacy isn’t a side project for us—it’s central to protecting the role local newspapers play in strengthening hometown economies, safeguarding democratic participation, and maintaining trust in public institutions.
The Community News & Small Business Support Act (H.R. 1753)
Local newspapers remain part of the fabric of strong communities. They keep residents informed, support small businesses, and provide the kind of accountable, non-partisan reporting that national outlets simply don’t deliver. Too many family-owned papers are being stretched thin, and when they weaken, communities lose more than news — they lose connection.The Community News & Small Business Support Act is a practical, market-based solution focused squarely on local, family-owned newspapers, not national media and not large corporate chains. It strengthens the hometown institutions that reflect local values and keep citizens engaged.
The act provides temporary, content-neutral tax credits that help community newspapers hire and retain local journalists. In year one, the credit covers up to half of qualified compensation; in the following years, it steps down but continues to support staffing. The goal is simple: keep reporting jobs local and ensure communities continue to have access to trusted information.
Small businesses benefit as well. The bill offers a tax credit for Main Street companies that advertise with their local media — up to $5,000 in the first year and up to $2,500 afterward. This lowers marketing costs for local employers while strengthening the local newspapers they rely on to reach customers.
This is not a subsidy and not a mandate. It’s a five-year, tax-code-based incentive that supports two pillars of community life: family-owned newspapers and small businesses. While eligibility limits mean some outlets may not receive the full benefit, the act remains a meaningful step toward keeping local reporting strong, safeguarding hometown voices, and ensuring communities have access to information they trust.
The act provides temporary, content-neutral tax credits that help community newspapers hire and retain local journalists. In year one, the credit covers up to half of qualified compensation; in the following years, it steps down but continues to support staffing. The goal is simple: keep reporting jobs local and ensure communities continue to have access to trusted information.
Small businesses benefit as well. The bill offers a tax credit for Main Street companies that advertise with their local media — up to $5,000 in the first year and up to $2,500 afterward. This lowers marketing costs for local employers while strengthening the local newspapers they rely on to reach customers.
This is not a subsidy and not a mandate. It’s a five-year, tax-code-based incentive that supports two pillars of community life: family-owned newspapers and small businesses. While eligibility limits mean some outlets may not receive the full benefit, the act remains a meaningful step toward keeping local reporting strong, safeguarding hometown voices, and ensuring communities have access to information they trust.
Make Your Voice Heard! Tell Congress to Support Local Newspapers
Congress needs to hear that strong local news matters — not as a political talking point, but as a community necessity. The Community News & Small Business Support Act protects local reporting, supports small employers, and strengthens the hometown values that hold communities together.
Urge your lawmakers to support H.R. 1753 and stand with local newspapers and Main Street businesses.
Find out more about HR 1753 and send an email to your legislators below!
Congress needs to hear that strong local news matters — not as a political talking point, but as a community necessity. The Community News & Small Business Support Act protects local reporting, supports small employers, and strengthens the hometown values that hold communities together.
Urge your lawmakers to support H.R. 1753 and stand with local newspapers and Main Street businesses.
Find out more about HR 1753 and send an email to your legislators below!