Minnesota Lawmakers Weigh Taxpayer Funding for Local News Program

In this Alpha News article, Elyse Apel reports that Minnesota lawmakers are considering whether taxpayers should fund a local news internship and talent pipeline program at a time when traditional media outlets are struggling financially.

• The proposal would allocate $250,000 for a “local news talent pipeline program” run by the Minnesota News Media Institute, the nonprofit arm of the Minnesota Newspaper Association.
• The bill was originally introduced with a $500,000 appropriation before being included in the Senate omnibus jobs bill at half that amount.
• Grant money would support paid internships at newspapers, TV and radio broadcasters, and digital news platforms across Minnesota.
• Supporters argue the funding would help preserve local journalism and train the next generation of reporters, editors, designers, and media workers.
• Lisa Hills of the Minnesota Newspaper Association said the institute’s current internship program receives more applications than it can fund.
• Critics warn that taxpayer funding for journalism raises serious concerns about government influence over media.
• John Phelan of the Center of the American Experiment argued that news does not meet the economic definition of a “public good” and should not be subsidized by taxpayers.
• Phelan also questioned whether publicly supported journalism can remain politically neutral, citing concerns about ideological bias in Minnesota media.
• The proposal’s future remains uncertain because it is included in the Senate version but not funded in the House version.
• Lawmakers are negotiating final budget agreements before the Minnesota legislative session adjourns on May 18.

Read the full story: https://alphanews.org/minnesota-lawmakers-weigh-taxpayer-funding-for-local-news-program/