S.Res.152 - Designating April 2025 as Preserving and Protecting Local News Month and recognizing the importance and significance of local news. (119th Congress)
Summary
Senate Resolution 152 designates April 2025 as "Preserving and Protecting Local News Month." It recognizes the critical role local news plays in informing citizens, promoting civic engagement, and holding local governments accountable. The resolution highlights the decline in local news outlets and the potential consequences for communities.
Expected Effects
The resolution aims to raise awareness about the importance of local news. It could lead to increased public and private support for local journalism initiatives. However, the resolution itself does not allocate any funding or enact specific policies to address the challenges faced by local news organizations.
Potential Benefits
- Increased awareness of the importance of local news.
- Potential for greater public and private support for local journalism.
- Recognition of the role of local news in civic engagement and government accountability.
- Highlighting the decline of local news outlets and its impact on communities.
- Affirmation of local news as a public good.
Potential Disadvantages
- The resolution itself does not provide any direct financial support or policy changes to aid local news organizations.
- It is primarily symbolic and may not lead to significant practical outcomes.
- The resolution does not address the underlying economic challenges facing the news industry, such as declining advertising revenue and competition from digital platforms.
Constitutional Alignment
The resolution aligns with the First Amendment of the US Constitution, which protects the freedom of the press. By recognizing the importance of local news, the resolution indirectly supports the principles enshrined in the First Amendment. The resolution does not infringe upon any constitutional rights or expand governmental power in a way that would raise constitutional concerns.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).