High-quality journalism is essential to an informed democracy. But our online ecosystem puts news publishers at a disadvantage, with large tech platforms taking the majority of online ad revenue that is driven by media organizations.
In an effort to level the playing field and reach a deal that works for all parties, bipartisan reintroduction of the Journalism Competition and Preservation Act by House Antitrust Chairman David Cicilline (D-RI) and a lead Republican is expected in the coming weeks. The bill would allow news publishers to collectively negotiate for a better deal with the tech platforms to sustain high-quality journalism.
Members are urged to contact their representatives, particularly Reps. James Sensenbrenner (R-Menomonee Falls), ranking member of the House Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial and Administrative Law, and Mark Pocan (D-Madison), co-chair of the Antitrust Caucus, and urge them to consider co-sponsoring the bill.
The industry’s ability to build a sustainable digital future for journalism depends, in large part, on our ability to get a better deal from Facebook and Google. With publishers facing decreasing revenues, it is more important than ever to ask our elected representatives to support legislation that would help sustain journalism.
We hope that, by drawing attention to this important issue, more lawmakers will join our cause and recognize the need to protect high-quality journalism.
