As media consolidation accelerates, independent journalism is being pushed to the margins. This has made it harder for communities to access truthful and accountable reporting while giving corporations greater control over what information reaches the public. This concentration of power not only limits diverse voices, it threatens affordability and undermines the long-term viability of the local news ecosystems communities greatly depend on every day. When independent voices disappear, who decides what’s true and who gets left out?

In the latest episode of our YouTube series, Building Community, the National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC), Communication Workers of America (CWA),  and the State Innovation Exchange, bring together coalition partners, national organizations, and state leaders to focus on establishing a clear narrative following the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)’s approval of the Nexstar–Tegna merger and what this means for the general public. This community series is part of NHMC’s ongoing work as leaders of the Defend the Press Campaign, which is an effort to push back against government overreach and protect the independence of journalism. 

Our conversation included distinct perspectives from individuals offering valuable expertise and lived experience. Ida Eskamani, Senior Director of the Economic Justice Initiative at State Innovation Exchange introduced the conversation, and Feliciano Garcia, Principal of Manteca Media moderated our discussion. They were joined by Dr. Diana Moss, Vice President at the Progressive Policy Institute, Connecticut State Senator Matt Lesser, Ceilidh Gao of the Communications Workers of America, and former Nexstar worker, Brody Shaffer. Our panel brought together leaders from across media, policy, and state government to explore the impacts of media consolidation on local news and communities.

Check out the new episode of Building Community now!