The California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) has announced the members of its Civic Media Program advisory board, consisting of nine leaders from the state’s news industry. The program is a $20 million public-private partnership with equal funding from the State of California and Google. Its goal is to support local journalism and increase community engagement throughout California.
Dee Dee Myers, Senior Advisor to Governor Gavin Newsom and Director of GO-Biz, said, “An informed public is the foundation of a healthy democracy. By bringing together distinguished leaders from across the state who care deeply about supporting local journalism, expanding access to trusted information and improving newsroom sustainability, the Civic Media Program will help Californians stay connected to the issues that shape their lives and strengthen their communities.”
The advisory board includes representatives from organizations known for supporting local reporting in California:
– Arturo Carmona, Latino Media Collaborative
– Chuck Corra, Local Independent Online News Publishers
– Erik Cushman, Monterey County Weekly
– Julian Do, American Community Media
– Sean Emery, Media Guild of the West/Southern California News Group
– Jeff Glasser, Los Angeles Times
– Marian Kaanon, Stanislaus Community Foundation
– Julie Patel Liss, California State University Los Angeles
– Regina Wilson, California Black Media
The board will hold public meetings throughout the year to advise GO-Biz on how to design and implement the program. Notices for these meetings will be posted on the Civic Media Program webpage.
GO-Biz has stated its commitment to broad engagement with journalists, publishers, advocates and industry leaders.
To maintain editorial independence in distributing funds, GO-Biz selected the James B. McClatchy Foundation as third-party administrator after a competitive process. The Foundation will work with GO-Biz and the advisory board on program guidelines but will handle all grant applications independently.
Priscilla Enriquez, President and CEO of the James B. McClatchy Foundation said: “Local journalism is essential civic infrastructure, and this program recognizes that communities across California need trusted, facts-based and timely information to fully participate in public life. Through long-standing regional partnerships in the Inland Empire and Silicon Valley, and statewide collaboration with community foundations across California, we’re prepared to help ensure this program reaches newsrooms where they are, while fully protecting editorial independence and honoring the leadership of journalists, publishers, and non-profit newsrooms who know their communities best.”
Program guidelines are expected later this spring. Applications will open in summer with award announcements scheduled for fall.
Governor Gavin Newsom leads California as governor after being elected in 2018. He draws on his experience in business and local government to promote education reform, environmental protection and economic growth within an efficient government framework serving all residents. Newsom also focuses on strengthening community unity across California through various initiatives according to his official website.
For questions about the Civic Media Program or upcoming meetings visit CivicMedia@gobiz.ca.gov.
