Bill 118 HRES 1005, titled "Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the importance of local print and digital journalism," highlights the crucial role that local journalism plays in maintaining the welfare, transparency, and prosperity of government at all levels. The bill emphasizes the significance of local journalism in upholding the freedom and continuation of the United States as it is known today.
The bill recognizes the vital role that local print and digital journalism outlets play in informing the public about local government activities, holding elected officials accountable, and providing a platform for community voices to be heard. It acknowledges that local journalism serves as a watchdog for government actions and helps to ensure transparency and accountability in decision-making processes.
Furthermore, the bill emphasizes the importance of supporting and protecting local journalism outlets, which have faced challenges in recent years due to declining advertising revenue and competition from digital platforms. It calls for efforts to sustain and strengthen local journalism in order to preserve the essential role it plays in our democracy.
Overall, Bill 118 HRES 1005 underscores the critical importance of local journalism in maintaining a well-informed citizenry, promoting government transparency, and safeguarding the democratic principles upon which the United States was founded. It urges policymakers to prioritize the support and preservation of local journalism for the betterment of society as a whole.