WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) is cosponsoring a resolution designating April 2025 as “Preserving and Protecting Local News Month.” The resolution underscores the vital role of local journalism in American democracy, especially as the First Amendment faces mounting threats.  

“Local news is the key to better-informed communities, public interest journalism, and responsive governance – and the men and women who believe in reporting are feeling an unprecedented squeeze from economic and political pressures,” said Senator King. “As we see job losses and shrinking newsrooms, the resulting local news deserts are bad for citizen awareness, involvement and having their priorities reflected in decision-making. That’s why we owe local journalists a debt of gratitude this month and every month.”

Overall employment in newspaper, television, radio, and digital newsrooms in the United States fell by 26 percent, or 30,000 jobs, from 2008-2020. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, more than 360 local newsrooms have closed across the country. This resolution affirms the significance of local news in increasing civic engagement and strengthening democratic norms and practices and recognizes the invaluable contributions of local journalists in maintaining healthy and vibrant communities.

The resolution is co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), John Fetterman (D-PA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Peter Welch (D-VT), Mark Warner (D-VA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Tina Smith (D-MN), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and Michael Bennet (D-CO).

King is an ardent supporter of local journalism. During the pandemic, he joined a bipartisan letter urging the Office of Management and Budget to provide relief for local news outlets. He also joined Brian Stelter’s CNN Reliable Sources program to highlight the threats facing local media and the unique, vital services provided by these local outlets during the pandemic.

The full text of the resolution is available here.

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