Gov. Newsom Signs Bill Strengthening Local Journalism, Defending a Free Press as Cornerstone of Democracy

SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom Sept. 30 signed legislation to strengthen local journalism and support the reporters who hold those in power accountable, establishing a new funding mechanism to help qualifying local news organizations hire and retain journalists working in California. 

Assembly Bill 2222 by Assemblymember Christopher Ward (D-San Diego) and Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) creates refundable tax credits beginning in 2027 for qualifying local news organizations based on their employment of qualifying journalists. The credit is designed to support both existing newsroom jobs and new journalism positions. 

Gov. Newsom signed the legislation in his office surrounded by members of the Capitol Press Corps — and then took questions from the reporters who cover his administration.

View the signing message here.

Strong local journalism strengthens democracy

Local journalists are often the public’s eyes and ears inside city halls, school boards, courtrooms and state capitols. Their reporting helps Californians understand decisions being made in their name, scrutinize the people making them and participate more fully in their communities. Under the new law, qualifying local news organizations may receive refundable credits tied to the employment of California journalists, including:

Supporting full-time and part-time journalism jobs at qualifying local news organizations.

Providing additional support for new journalism positions, encouraging newsrooms to add reporting capacity.

Applying the credit across local digital, broadcast and print news organizations that meet certain requirements.

 Requiring qualifying organizations to maintain editorial standards, including publicly displaying an error-correction and clarification policy.

Excluding organizations controlled by political organizations or social-welfare entities from eligibility.

The tax credit applies to taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2027, and before January 1, 2032.

A free press requires access to those in power

The signing comes as media access at the White House has become restricted. President Trump recently barred journalists from CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House after criticizing their coverage. A federal judge subsequently ordered the administration to temporarily restore their credentials, and the news organizations are continuing to challenge the ban in federal court. 

California will continue standing up for a free and independent press and the public’s right to know.