Advocates urge state journalism fellowships to shore up local newsrooms
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Summary
Proponents told the committee HB 5,159 would seed local reporting by funding at least 12 fellowships administered through higher education, pointing to pilot models in New Mexico, California and Washington as evidence the approach can sustain local coverage and train journalists.
Supporters of HB 5,159 told the committee the state should fund a fellowship program to place early‑career journalists in local newsrooms and university programs.
"A small investment in sustaining and growing journalism" could pay dividends, Bruce Putterman, publisher of The Connecticut Mirror, said, noting small hyperlocal newsrooms often operate with one or two people and that a $10,000 fellowship could fund meaningful weekly reporting capacity.
Jean Perry of Rebuild Local News described university‑hosted fellowships in New Mexico, California and Washington as models that preserve editorial independence while placing reporters in newsrooms that need staff and training. Advocates argued state funds administered through a trusted public institution could be matched with local news organizations to boost coverage of municipal meetings, school boards and public safety.
Journalism educators and nonprofit organizers also urged the committee to design competitive, statewide placement processes to maximize geographic reach and to consider support for fellow mentorship and training. The committee did not vote on the proposal at the hearing.
