The League of Women Voters of the United States believes it is the responsibility of the government to provide support for conditions under which credible local journalism can survive and thrive. The League defines local news as accurate, in-depth coverage of government entities, including but not limited to, city councils, county councils, county boards of commissioners, health departments, schools, and school boards.

The League supports credible and ethical local journalism, in whatever format it is published, as essential to our democracy.

The League supports efforts to ensure everyone has access to information necessary for casting an informed ballot and that credible local news sources are integral to this pursuit.

The League believes that support for the viability of local news may take a variety of forms. Control of the content must remain exclusively with the news organizations.

The League also believes media literacy and news education, including support for journalism students, are essential. These opportunities should be expanded in schools and throughout communities.

The League believes that everyone should have access to comprehensive, credible local news and that barriers to access should be removed. These barriers include, but are not limited to, geography, economic status, and education.

League History:

The 2024 Convention voted to include this position in Impact on Issues and the national office will track the League’s engagement and work around this issue for the next biennium. Convention 2024 adopted the LWV of Washington position by concurrence.