What is Government's Role in Supporting the News Business?

25 Jan 2010 15:40 Africa/Lagos

What is Government's Role in Supporting the News Business?

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new report on the role of government in supporting newspapers and other news organizations will be released by the University of Southern California's Center on Communication Leadership & Policy on Thursday, January 28, 2010.


The report, Public Policy and Funding the News, is co-authored by Geoffrey Cowan, USC Annenberg School dean emeritus and director of the Center on Communication Leadership & Policy (CCLP), and David Westphal, former Washington Editor for McClatchy Newspapers and current CCLP senior fellow and USC Annenberg executive-in-residence.


The report examines a common myth: that the commercial press in the United States is independent of governmental funding support. According to the authors, "There has never been a time in U.S. history when government dollars were not propping up the news business. This year, federal, state and local governments will spend well over $1 billion to support commercial news publishers through tax breaks, postal subsidies and the printing of public notices."


Issues to be discussed include:
-- The impact of falling government subsidies on the news business today
-- A framework to consider various legislative and regulatory proposals
to support news and information
-- Public broadcasting support, including international broadcasting
initiatives
-- Antitrust regulations and intellectual property statutes
-- Publication requirements for public notices
-- Tax policies
-- Postal rates and regulations
-- Subsidies to expand broadband service


EVENT: Briefing on Government's role in supporting news organizations. Release of report "Public Policy and Funding the News"


LOCATION: National Press Club

DATE: Thursday, January 28, 2010

TIME: 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Briefing and continental breakfast

PRESENTERS:

Geoffrey Cowan, director, USC Annenberg Center on Communication Leadership & Policy


David Westphal, senior fellow, USC Annenberg Center on Communication Leadership & Policy


About the Center on Communication Leadership and Policy


Based in Los Angeles at the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism, the Center on Communication Leadership and Policy conducts research and organizes courses, programs, seminars and symposia for scholars, students, policymakers and working professionals to prepare future leaders in journalism, communication and other related fields. Current projects include: Public Policy and the Future of News; The Constitution and the Press; Media and Political Discourse; Photographic Empowerment; Children's Media; and Women and Communication Leadership.


Contact: Carrie Collins, 301-664-9000


Source: USC Annenberg Center on Communication Leadership & Policy

CONTACT: Carrie Collins of CCLP, +1-301-664-9000