Democrats’ welfare for journalists brings us closer to state-run media

[Fishman15]

Another canary in the coal mine from the Empire State: New York’s newly minted state budget allocates $90 million for tax credits for so-called local news outlets. Eligible outlets can receive a tax credit against half of the first $50,000 of a journalist’s salary. It’s welfare, tailor-made for the Fourth Estate.

A Northwestern University study released last November estimated the United States has lost one-third of its newspapers and two-thirds of its newspaper journalism jobs since 2005. Corporate welfare won’t change that dynamic. What it will do is advance the death of journalistic independence at the hands of left-wing Democrats who seek to control the public discourse at every turn. Russian television, here we come.

Axios attempted to quell any fears about New York’s program, throwing gasoline on the liberal bias dumpster fire: “The first-of-its kind provision could create a blueprint for funding local journalism jobs across the country. Tax credits, unlike government-funded grants, are seen by some as less likely to create a dynamic where a local news outlet feels compromised by government-funded support.”

Really? Does anyone really think that a subsidized paper would be as aggressive in countering runaway taxation, spending, radical social engineering, assaults on local zoning, sanctuary status, cash payouts to illegals, “woke” education, tyrannical public unions, soft-on-crime district attorneys, and others of the most controversial policies pushed by states like New York could all get even more of a pass?

This isn’t about fostering a more balanced discourse, job creation, or local news reporting. Leftists aren’t interested in increased coverage at the local level. They are interested in increased favorable coverage for their agenda and candidates.


https://www.washingtontimes.com/news...ngs-us-closer/


90 million dollars for NY journalists? Just think how many more homeless illegal aliens they could have taken care with that cash. Such racist bigots...