The Community NEWS Act Would Provide Tax Credits to Newsrooms
INTERVIEW ON THE PRICE OF BUSINESS SHOW, MEDIA PARTNER OF THIS SITE.
Recently Kevin Price, Host of the nationally syndicated Price of Business Show, interviewed David Dozier who is a leading media authority.
On a recent Price of Business show, Host Kevin Price interviewed Dr. David Dozier. He’s a professor emeritus in the journalism school at San Diego State University. They discussed a new bill passed in early September by super-majorities in the California legislature. If enacted, it would fund the hiring and retention of journalists in California newsrooms. Gov. Gavin Newsom has until Sept. 31 to either sign or veto it. The Community NEWS Act (AB 2222) provides tax credits to California news organizations based on the number of journalists they employ. Why subsidize newsrooms? From 2000 to 2023, advertising dollars to local newspapers dropped by $40 billion, an 82% freefall. From 2008 to 2020, the Pew Research Center reported the number of working journalists declined 26%. Under the act, newsrooms would receive a $20,000 tax credit for each fulltime journalist on staff. After five such credits, news organization get $15,000 for each additional journalist added. Newsrooms also get a $15,000 tax credit for each net new hire. They get $7,500 tax credit for each part-time reporter. For-profits and nonprofits are eligible. All news platforms are eligible, including print, digital, broadcasting, public broadcasting and sole proprietorships. The act would be funded by eliminating California’s corporate income tax deductions for that portion of executive salaries exceeding $1 million. The bill was opposed by the California Taxpayers’ Association, the state Chamber of Commerce and other business interests. In part, they object to funding some businesses with tax credits by increasing taxes on others. However, California already does similar subsidies for the TV and film industry. Journalists are reluctant to embrace government subsidies. They rightfully fear that tax credits could be manipulated by corrupt politicians to censor content. Such concerns are amplified by efforts of Trump loyalists on the FCC to threaten station licenses owned by ABC. Why? Trump dislikes ABC’s critical news coverage. Late-night comics on ABC make fun of him. However, newspapers have always received government subsidies in the form of reduced postal rates and lucrative ad revenues from legal notices. News broadcasters have exclusive use of the spectrum assigned to their stations. The Community NEWS Act is designed to be “content neutral.” Tax credits are based solely on the number of journalists employed in the newsroom, without regard to content (See www.DavidDozierBooks.com and www.linkedin.com/in/david-dozier-576b684/).
The Price of Business is one of the longest running shows of its kind in the country and is in markets coast to coast. The Host, Kevin Price, is a multi-award winning author, broadcast journalist, and syndicated columnist. He is Editor at Large for this site. Learn more about the show and its digital partners at www.PriceofBusiness.com.
David Dozier (DavidDozierBooks.com) is the author of the novel, The California Killing Field. He is a professor emeritus in the School of Journalism & Media Studies, San Diego State University. He’s an internationally recognized expert on communication management and public relations.
According to USA Business Radio, “David Dozier is a scholar of public relations and communication management, professor emeritus in the School of Journalism & Media Studies at San Diego State University, and author of The California Killing Field. He says fake news has become a phenomenon, political campaigns use the tactic to influence voters, and that it’s perplexing that a conspiracy-based group such as QAnon has gained national attention.
Kevin Price and David Dozier are doing a multi-part series on this important topic that will be on many different platforms, as well as on radio. Keep an eye out for the series throughout the Price of Business Digital Network and USA Business Radio.
Connect with David Dozier on social media:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-dozier-576b684/
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