Panel hears bill to fund local journalism with a tech platform surcharge Substitute SB 5,400 would create a Washington Local News Sustainability Program funded by a surcharge on large covered platforms, with grant priorities for small newsrooms and a fellowship at WSU. Supporters including newspapers and local nonprofts called it essential to preserve local reporting; tech and business groups warned of legal risk and unintended costs.

A new bill in Washington aims to breathe life into local journalism by imposing a surcharge on major tech platforms to fund grants for struggling newsrooms.

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Washington Legislature enacts bill to support local news journalism sustainability Legislature approves measures to bolster local news amidst declining newspaper resources

Washington State's Senate Bill 5400 could be the lifeline local journalism desperately needs, as communities fight to preserve vital news coverage amid alarming declines.

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