Amendment #1135 to H3900

Journalism Commission

Mr. McMurtry of Dedham moves to amend the bill by adding the following section:

"SECTION XXXX. Chapter 358 of the Acts of 2020 is hereby amended by striking out section 93, and inserting in place thereof the following section:-

SECTION 93.  (a) There is hereby established a special legislative commission, pursuant to section 2A of chapter 4 of the General Laws, to study journalism in underserved communities in the commonwealth. The commission shall: (i) conduct a comprehensive study relative to communities underserved by local journalism in the commonwealth; (ii) review all aspects of local journalism including, but not limited to, the adequacy of press coverage of cities and towns, ratio of residents to media outlets, print and digital business models for media outlets, the impact of social media on local news, strategies to improve local news access, public policy solutions to improve the sustainability of local press business models and private and nonprofit solutions, and identifying career pathways and existing or potential professional development opportunities for aspiring journalists in the commonwealth.

(b)  The commission shall consist of the following 9 members: the chairs of the joint committee on community development and small business, or their designees, who shall serve as co-chairs; 1 member of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; 1 member of the senate appointed by the senate president; the secretary of housing and economic development, or a designee; 4 members shall be appointed by the governor, 1 of whom shall be a professor of journalism teaching in massachusetts college or university, 1 of whom shall be a freelance journalist, and 2 of whom shall be an editor or producer from an independent community news outlets serving a community underserved by professional news organizations.

(c)  The commission shall hold public information sessions in order to promote the work of the commission and to solicit public comment pursuant to the work of the commission.

(d)  The commission shall accept written and oral comment from the public beginning at the first meeting of the commission.

(e)  The commission shall meet no less than 2 times to review, study and analyze existing literature, quantitative and qualitative data on the status of journalism in the commonwealth and review the oral and written public comments.

(f)  No later than December 6, 2024, the commission shall submit its findings, along with recommendations for legislation, if any, to the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate and the joint committee of community development and small business.

(g)  The special commission may make such interim reports as it considers appropriate.

Additional co-sponsor(s) added to Amendment #1135 to H3900

Journalism Commission