Strengthening Democracy
When the Bill of Rights was drafted more than two centuries ago, the founding fathers incorporated their belief that local journalism was a crucial component for a strong democracy. In fact, they felt newspapers were so important, they facilitated the creation of a strong delivery network by providing papers with subsidized postal rates.
In the decades that followed, historians unofficially labeled this democratic role of the press as America’s fourth branch of government – using the power of the pen to educate and inform citizens, provide an accessible forum for debate and act as a watchdog to keep government and public institutions accountable.
Thomas Jefferson once said, “Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.”
Research across the country confirms communities with fewer reporters or no local news source have experienced troubling trends that impact democracy:
Additionally, a recent study from Gallup and the Knight Foundation revealed that:
85% of Americans say the news media is critical or very important for providing accurate information and holding the power to account
81% of individuals who follow local news very closely are likely to vote, compared to only 35% of those who do not pay close attention.
Research confirms a strong local press leads to better civic engagement, more government accountability and an informed public – making it a cause worthy of philanthropic support.