Golden State Today

California Common Cause has released a report titled "Local Voices On Local News: Community Perspectives and Policy Recommendations for Strengthening San Francisco’s Journalism Ecosystem." This document highlights the community's needs regarding local news, featuring insights from independent publishers and suggesting public policy solutions to address information gaps among marginalized residents in San Francisco.

The report results from a five-month community listening process that involved over 175 participants through focus groups and interviews. Maya Chupkov, coauthor of the report and Media & Democracy Program Manager at California Common Cause, stated, “Local news is critical to our democracy, and San Franciscans are hungry for more.” She emphasized the demand for honest news that reflects community issues.

The decline of local newspapers due to financial challenges has led to reduced original reporting and increased information gaps. The report includes voices from the Bay Area Independent Community Media Coalition, aiming to strengthen local journalism through cooperation and advocacy.

A public event discussing the report's findings will be held on March 13 at 518 Valencia. Details will be available on California Common Cause's social media channels.