Normally when I write these annual predictions, I stick my index finger in the air to guess which way the wind is blowing. But this year, I can actually see the future — because I’m already living it.
Some context: Following in the footsteps of its Canadian brethren, the U.S. government may soon issue a labor tax credit for journalists as part of the Build Back Better bill that passed the House in November.
According to The New York Times’ Marc Tracy:
If the $2.2 trillion social safety net and climate package makes it through the Senate, it will provide $1.67 billion over the next five years for newspapers, websites, radio and TV stations, and other outlets that primarily cover local news.
You can argue about the importance of this program to publishers seeking a lifeline. But what can’t be argued is that any government aid to publishers will be politicized. This risks further eroding trust in traditional media and needs to be considered before any legislation is passed.
Republican opponents of the bill will chew on the “journalism bailout” as red meat for a base that already distrusts traditional media.
Populist alt-right and activist left-wing publications will use the tax credit as a cudgel to hammer reporters and editors for being in the pocket of the Biden administration. And conveniently, it’ll be a great fundraising opportunity for their own “independent” news outlets.
Companies on the receiving end of the subsidies will howl into the wind, “Journalistic independence!” Only to be drowned out anytime the #Bidenbloviators, #Bidensbeat, and #Bidensbroadcasters hashtags trend when a story is viewed unfavorably by the competing base.
My own views on this form of government assistance for journalism aren’t relevant in this prediction, although you can read what I wrote at the time about the Canadian government’s approach here and here. But know that this is all already happening north of the border.
David Skok is the CEO and editor-in-chief of The Logic.
Normally when I write these annual predictions, I stick my index finger in the air to guess which way the wind is blowing. But this year, I can actually see the future — because I’m already living it.
Some context: Following in the footsteps of its Canadian brethren, the U.S. government may soon issue a labor tax credit for journalists as part of the Build Back Better bill that passed the House in November.
According to The New York Times’ Marc Tracy:
If the $2.2 trillion social safety net and climate package makes it through the Senate, it will provide $1.67 billion over the next five years for newspapers, websites, radio and TV stations, and other outlets that primarily cover local news.
You can argue about the importance of this program to publishers seeking a lifeline. But what can’t be argued is that any government aid to publishers will be politicized. This risks further eroding trust in traditional media and needs to be considered before any legislation is passed.
Republican opponents of the bill will chew on the “journalism bailout” as red meat for a base that already distrusts traditional media.
Populist alt-right and activist left-wing publications will use the tax credit as a cudgel to hammer reporters and editors for being in the pocket of the Biden administration. And conveniently, it’ll be a great fundraising opportunity for their own “independent” news outlets.
Companies on the receiving end of the subsidies will howl into the wind, “Journalistic independence!” Only to be drowned out anytime the #Bidenbloviators, #Bidensbeat, and #Bidensbroadcasters hashtags trend when a story is viewed unfavorably by the competing base.
My own views on this form of government assistance for journalism aren’t relevant in this prediction, although you can read what I wrote at the time about the Canadian government’s approach here and here. But know that this is all already happening north of the border.
David Skok is the CEO and editor-in-chief of The Logic.
Cherian George
Michael W. Wagner
Jody Brannon
John Davidow
Amara Aguilar
Cristina Tardáguila
Victor Pickard
Sarah Stonbely
Tom Trewinnard
Whitney Phillips
Robert Hernandez
Parker Molloy
Mandy Jenkins
Don Day
Meena Thiruvengadam
Errin Haines
j. Siguru Wahutu
Sam Guzik
Ariel Zirulnick
Alice Antheaume
Jessica Clark
Paul Cheung
Joni Deutsch
Christoph Mergerson
Amy Schmitz Weiss
Simon Galperin
Wilson Liévano
Juleyka Lantigua
Matt DeRienzo
Zizi Papacharissi
Matt Karolian
David Skok
Kristen Jeffers
S. Mitra Kalita
Anthony Nadler
Kerri Hoffman
Melody Kramer
Raney Aronson-Rath
Ståle Grut
Jim Friedlich
Jesse Holcomb
Natalia Viana
Mary Walter-Brown
Francesco Zaffarano
A.J. Bauer
Joshua P. Darr
Jesenia De Moya Correa
Laxmi Parthasarathy
Matthew Pressman
Brian Moritz
Joanne McNeil
Doris Truong
David Cohn
Joy Mayer
Millie Tran
Anita Varma
Tony Baranowski
Stephen Fowler
Jennifer Brandel
Rasmus Kleis Nielsen
An Xiao Mina
Gonzalo del Peon
Rachel Glickhouse
Shannon McGregor Carolyn Schmitt
Tamar Charney
Jennifer Coogan
Jonas Kaiser
Andrew Freedman
Chicas Poderosas
Candace Amos
Larry Ryckman
Megan McCarthy
Mike Rispoli
James Green
Julia Angwin
Nikki Usher
Gordon Crovitz
Simon Allison
Shalabh Upadhyay
Richard Tofel
Julia Munslow
Kristen Muller
Christina Shih
Kathleen Searles Rebekah Trumble
Joe Amditis
Sarah Marshall
Catalina Albeanu
Stefanie Murray
Burt Herman
Chase Davis
Izabella Kaminska
Janelle Salanga
Eric Nuzum
Anika Anand
Gabe Schneider
Mario García
Kendra Pierre-Louis
Cindy Royal
Moreno Cruz Osório
Daniel Eilemberg