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 board is composed of leaders from various news organizations throughout California.
The Civic Media Program is a $20 million initiative funded equally by the State of California and Google. Its goal is to support local journalism and promote community engagement statewide.
Dee Dee Myers, Senior Advisor to Governor Gavin Newsom and Director of GO-Biz, stated, “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 ecosystem. 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 by the advisory board throughout the year to provide recommendations on program design and implementation. Notices for these meetings will be posted on the Civic Media Program webpage.
GO-Biz has expressed ongoing commitment to engaging with journalists, publishers, advocates, and other industry leaders as part of this effort.
To maintain editorial independence in grant distribution, GO-Biz selected the James B. McClatchy Foundation as third-party administrator after a competitive process. The foundation will work with GO-Biz and the advisory board on program guidelines but will independently handle all grant applications.
Priscilla Enriquez, President and CEO of the James B. McClatchy Foundation, said, “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.”
Program guidelines are expected later this spring; applications open in summer with awards announced in fall.
Governor Gavin Newsom leads California as governor after being elected as its 40th governor in 2018. He has focused on advancing policies related to education, environmental protection, economic growth, efficient governance for all residents, innovation in public safety and social equity initiatives that foster unity within communities across California (official website). Newsom has also engaged directly with communities throughout the state to understand challenges faced by residents (official website).
For more information or questions about the Civic Media Program, inquiries can be directed to CivicMedia@gobiz.ca.gov.
