The California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) has announced the formation of a nine-member advisory board for its Civic Media Program. The program, a $20 million public-private partnership funded equally by the State of California and Google, aims to support local journalism and community engagement throughout the state.
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 consists of representatives from organizations with experience in supporting California’s news sector. Members include 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), and Regina Wilson (California Black Media).
Public meetings will be held throughout the year for the advisory board to offer recommendations on program design and implementation. Notices for these meetings will be posted on the Civic Media Program webpage.
GO-Biz plans to maintain broad industry engagement by consulting with journalists, publishers, advocates, and other news industry stakeholders.
To uphold editorial independence in distributing state funds, GO-Biz has selected the James B. McClatchy Foundation as a third-party administrator after a competitive process. The foundation is an established nonprofit in California known for managing journalism grant programs.
Priscilla Enriquez, President and CEO of the James B. McClatchy Foundation, stated: “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.”
Detailed guidelines for funding eligibility will be released this spring; applications open in summer with awardees announced in fall.
Governor Gavin Newsom leads California’s efforts to foster unity among its diverse communities through policies aimed at efficient governance and innovation in areas such as education and economic growth (official website). He was elected as California’s 40th governor in 2018 (official website) after building his career on business experience as well as service at local government levels.
For more information or questions regarding the Civic Media Program or its application process contact CivicMedia@gobiz.ca.gov.
