California Invests in Journalism to Strengthen Civic Infrastructure

State funding for local news fellowships and business support aims to empower underserved communities and combat misinformation.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 5:55pm

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In response to the collapse of local journalism in California, a historic media coalition secured $15 million in state funding for the California Local News Fellowship and the Propel Initiative. Now, lawmakers are being called on to double that investment to $35 million, expanding these successful programs that place early-career reporters in underserved areas and provide business support to sustain local newsrooms.

Why it matters

Local news outlets play a vital role in holding officials accountable, empowering underserved communities, and strengthening the state's civic infrastructure. This investment aims to ensure all Californians have access to accurate, fact-based reporting on issues crucial to their lives, from healthcare to housing.

The details

The California Local News Fellowship has placed over 110 journalists in newsrooms across 64% of the state's counties, generating 4,000 stories annually. Parallel to the fellowship, the Propel Initiative helps local media outlets develop sustainable revenue strategies and deepen audience engagement. This public-private partnership also includes a $10 million match from Google to further support trusted, local journalism.

  • In 2025, the state secured $15 million for the California Local News Fellowship and Propel Initiative.
  • Lawmakers are now being asked to increase the investment to $35 million in 2026.

The players

Senator Steven Glazer

A former California state senator who co-authored the original proposal for the journalism funding programs.

Julian Travis Dom

Co-director of American Community Media, a partner organization in the Propel Initiative.

UC Berkeley Journalism

The institution administering the California Local News Fellowship.

Maynard Institute for Journalism Education

A collaborator on the Propel Initiative, providing business support to local newsrooms.

California Black Media

A partner organization in the Propel Initiative, representing Black-owned media outlets.

Latino Media Collaborative

A partner organization in the Propel Initiative, representing Latino media outlets.

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What they’re saying

“Local reporting is a public good, and this effort secured a $15 million state investment for the California Local News Fellowship — the nation's largest publicly funded journalism initiative — and the Propel Initiative.”

— Senator Steven Glazer, Former California State Senator

“By helping leaders develop sustainable revenue strategies and deepen audience engagement, Propel ensures that our trusted messengers remain financially viable to continue serving their local communities.”

— Julian Travis Dom, Co-Director, American Community Media

What’s next

Lawmakers are expected to vote on the $35 million funding request in the upcoming state budget negotiations.

The takeaway

This investment in local journalism is a strategic move to strengthen California's civic infrastructure, empower underserved communities, and combat the growing threat of misinformation by supporting trusted, fact-based reporting.