Local newpaper are failing and it spells disaster for journalism and the ability to present local news and expose corrupt politicians. Local newspapers have especially suffered due to Internet and loss of advertisement revenue from classified ads, which have sadly gone online. It’s a devastating setback little known by the public. If the mayor or leader of your small city or town is doing something corrupt and the local newspaper no longer exists, those politicians can get away with a lot. 

The proposal here is one many will not take well to: government should subsidize local newspapers just as government helps museums, performing arts centers, and public television and public radio. The challenge is to do it without censoring and government interference.  

The proposal here is a blind trust fund that local newspapers can dip into. The government will not be able to interfere with news reporting, for this is something many people will correctly have trouble with.  It is the belief of FGG that we must find a way to make this work and that we can do this without government interfering with the free local press.  Blind sponsorship of a newspaper is possible. 

A useful approach we propose is placing a $20 charge to all tax forms, and a $100 option that will entitle the taxpayer to free Internet subscription to two newspapers of their choice. We also propose a $500 surcharge to large corporations.  The program will also benefit local newspapers as circulation will increase, allowing for larger advertisement revenue (which is typically based upon circulation).

We encourage our audience of all political parties to be open to this idea and to recognize that it’s an idea whose time has come. We all are in trouble if local newspapers and news reporting disappear.