California's $125 million deal with Google to support the journalism industry is under threat as Governor Gavin Newsom proposes a two-thirds reduction to the state's initial funding commitment. This cut, slated to shrink the first-year contribution from $30 million to $10 million, is attributed to a projected budget shortfall. The proposals to force tech companies to compensate news outlets for their content were scrapped in favor of this deal. Local news advocates are outraged, questioning both the commitment to the agreement and the efficacy of the funding in addressing California's journalism crisis.
It's extremely disappointing. It was already too small and they've walked in the wrong direction from it at a time when the collapse of community news in California continues ... Pink slime and rumor and misinformation are thriving in communities starved for credible news.
The cut to the initial commitment is driven by fewer resources than projected, highlighting the state's ongoing financial difficulties.
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