The American dream has long been a cornerstone of the United States’ national identity. By the latter half of the 20th century, this concept had evolved to represent the attainment of material wealth, upward social mobility, and homeownership.
The key aspect of the American dream is optimism—the belief that tomorrow will be better than today. With rising debt, inflation, and a lack of savings, the American dream has become unattainable for many Americans. According to a Wall Street Journal poll, 66 percent of Americans are pessimistic about achieving the American dream.
As public trust in the American dream wanes, the landscape of local media across the country is also experiencing a significant decline. Over the past two decades, the United States has lost more than 2,100 newspapers. In 2024 alone, over 127 local newspapers shut down, averaging 2.5 closures per week. This alarming trend has left 208 counties without a local newspaper. Moreover, since 2022, the industry has seen a loss of 8,000 newspaper jobs.
Hundreds of communities nationwide have become part of constantly expanding news deserts. In these areas, it is common to find local newsrooms operated by a single employee who simultaneously serves as an editor, reporter, and publisher.
The decline of local newspapers poses a significant threat to the future of American democracy and the well-being of local communities. Every day, millions of Americans consume global news without being aware of the events happening around them.
According to a recent survey by the Pew Research Center, a vast majority of American adults (85 percent) believe that local news outlets are at least somewhat important, while 44 percent consider local journalism to be extremely important to their community.
Despite widespread public recognition of local media’s importance, federal and state policymakers have done little to reverse the decline of local journalism.
Andrew Yang was among the first politicians to bring national attention to this pressing issue. During his 2020 presidential campaign, he proposed establishing the Local Journalism Fund, a $1 billion initiative operated by the FCC. Such a fund would aim to provide grants to local newspapers, periodicals, and websites, helping them to survive the new digital era. But opponents of “big government” and expanded government spending might take issue with this approach.
Recently, Congress has shown growing concern for the challenges facing the Fourth Estate. In 2021, U.S. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ-2) introduced the Local Journalism Sustainability Act in the House.
Unlike Yang’s policy proposal, this bill proposes individual tax credits of $250 for subscribing to local media or financially supporting a nonprofit organization that covers local news. It also offers tax credits up to $25,000 per journalist in the first year and $15,000 in subsequent years to incentivize the hiring and retention of local journalists.
Despite having bipartisan support and over 70 sponsors, the bill failed to gain further traction.
A similar bill appeared in the House in 2023: the Community News and Small Business Support Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY-24). This bill provides certain small businesses and employers of journalists with tax credits for advertising in local media and for the wages of up to 1,500 local news journalists in any calendar quarter. Unfortunately, this bill met the same fate as the Local Journalism Sustainability Act.
State legislators have been more effective in their efforts to support local news media than their counterparts on Capitol Hill.
Since August 2023, state legislatures have introduced over 20 bills supporting local news, with three already passed. Leading the way is New York State, with its Newspaper and Broadcast Media Jobs Program—a pioneering tax incentive. This program offers up to $90 million in tax credits for news outlets to hire and retain journalists.
Illinois has also passed legislation that grants news organizations tax credits for employing journalists. Blue states such as California, Washington, and New Mexico are actively working to support local media.
Historically, conservatives have championed decentralization and localism. Given this, reviving local media should naturally align with their top priorities. However, few Republican legislators support tax credit policies for local media, likely because many on the right view such programs as government subsidies.
Tax credits for local news organizations are not a form of subsidy, as they involve no outflow of government funds. Instead, they allow more money to remain within local communities, supporting local interests. These tax incentives for local newspapers align perfectly with President Trump’s initiatives to cut bureaucracy and government waste, providing yet another reason why Republicans should support such programs in their states.
Supporting local media and ending news deserts should be a bipartisan issue. The decline of local media in the U.S. could severely impact the nation’s communities, economy, and democracy.
The United States is not merely composed of metropolitan cities on two coasts. The heart of America lies in the thousands of small towns and villages in between, many of which are in news deserts. For residents of these areas, participating in local and state elections can be challenging. The absence of local newsrooms results in uninformed decision-making and weaker communities.
To thrive, the American dream requires strong communities that foster great schools, affordable housing markets, and countless job opportunities. The original emphasis of the American dream was on democracy, liberty, and equality—principles that local media across the country uphold. Reviving the American dream begins with reviving local media.
In an era dominated by social media, where misinformation can spread rapidly, the role of local journalism as a trustworthy news source becomes more critical than ever. Local reporters are not merely journalists; they are our neighbors, deeply invested in the well-being of their communities. Supporting local media means more than saving jobs—it’s about preserving the American way of life. This issue affects everyone, regardless of which state they reside.
To counter the decline of local journalism, we can subscribe to local newspapers, engage with local media online, or advocate for supportive legislation. Act now to support local newspapers; otherwise, you may find yourself waking up in a news desert.