AG Camacho joins bipartisan effort supporting local journalism

October 18, 2021 – Tamuning, Guam- Attorney General Leevin Taitano Camacho joined a bipartisan coalition of 15 attorneys general calling on Congress to pass legislation supporting local journalism.

“It is important to support local media outlets and homegrown journalists because they are most familiar with the issues that impact our community,” said Attorney General Camacho.

The letter calls on key leaders to support and pass the Local Journalism Sustainability Act of 2021 (H.R. 3940 and S. 2434). The act would provide:

● Up to $250 in tax credits to local newspaper subscribers to offset subscription fees;
● Up to $5,000 in tax credits for some local businesses for buying ads in local newspapers; and
● Up to $25,000 for local newspapers to hire local journalists.

The letter reads: “Local newspapers are responsible for half of our country’s original reporting, although they only account for one-quarter of media outlets. In many rural communities, local news organizations provide the only information and updates about issues impacting the community.”

“Regional journalism is critical, as is journalism by and for Black, Indigenous, and people of color, including ethnic media organizations,” the letter continues. “These organizations are best positioned to identify, investigate, and report on issues of concern to their respective communities, and Congress should take action to support and strengthen them.”

Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson led the effort and was joined by attorneys general from Guam, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Virginia.