Rabb spotlights two bills to strengthen local journalism
Lawmaker, advocates call for legislative action to address news deserts, information gaps
Rep. Christopher M. Rabb December 17, 2025 | 11:42 AM
HARRISBURG, Dec. 17 – State Rep. Chris Rabb has introduced two bills designed to provide nonpartisan investments in local journalism and civic information.
“There are a growing number of news deserts across Pennsylvania,” said Rabb, D-Phila. “When people don’t have access to accurate news that impacts their communities, they lose the power to shape their communities. These bills are about restoring that power by investing in the infrastructure of our democracy and civic well-being.”
Rabb said recent data shows 17 counties in Pennsylvania have access to one or zero local news outlets and that rural, working-class, non-English speaking communities and communities of color feel the greatest impact.
Rabb’s two bills would establish new avenues for supporting journalism:
- House Bill 2048 would create and fund a Pennsylvania Civic Information Consortium, an independent, nonpartisan entity to distribute grants to local newsrooms and nonprofit organizations filling critical information gaps in underserved communities. Modeled after New Jersey’s CIC, which has distributed more than $10 million since its creation in 2018, the Pennsylvania CIC would be empowered to raise private philanthropic dollars to expand its impact while preserving editorial independence.
- House Bill 2047 would establish a state fellowship program for local news, placing early-career journalists in community newsrooms across the state to strengthen reporting capacity where it’s needed most. A similar fellowship program has been successfully piloted in California, New Mexico and Washington, placing reporters on the ground in communities that have seen local coverage eliminated over the last two decades.
Local journalism advocates from across the state have expressed support for Rabb’s proposals.
"Simply put, every resident of every community — big or small — deserves access to quality local news and information. As news deserts continue to form across our state, this initiative will provide some relief," said Matt Veto, teaching associate professor of journalism, Lehigh University.
"Pennsylvania residents deserve access to quality local news and civic information. Having researched efforts to provide community-centered news and information—particularly to low-income, rural and other marginalized communities—a critical missing ingredient is policy that supports funding for these efforts, and that centers the needs and assets of communities,” said Andrea Wenzel, Ph.D., associate professor, Temple University’s Klein College of Media and Communication and co-founder and faculty advisor for the Center for Community-Engaged Media.
"Independent publishers represent the future of the news industry, and their success is necessary for a healthy democracy. We're excited to see legislation uplifting small independent publishers in Pennsylvania, a place where community-rooted media is increasingly more important and in dire need of support,” said Chuck Corra, associate director of policy and advocacy, Local Independent Online News Publishers.
"Public investment in initiatives such as community journalism grants and fellowships will ensure that more Pennsylvanians have access to the reliable information they need to address local challenges and stay connected in their communities,” said Jennie Ewing Liska, co-executive director of revenue and operations, Pittsburgh PublicSource.
"Funding from initiatives like the Pennsylvania Civic Information Consortium would open the door for independent creators, journalists and organizations dedicated to keeping our communities informed. Communities in Pennsylvania are seeing their lands affected by warehouses and data centers as they struggle to preserve farmland. Without funded local journalism, these communities lose their voice in these critical land-use battles,” said Jai Smith, editor in chief, Lehigh Daily.
Rabb said both bills have been referred to the House Communications and Technology Committee.