One-half of an agency's advertising expenses required to be paid to local news organizations.
The implications of HF2609 are significant for both state agencies and local news organizations. By ensuring that half of state advertising budgets flow to local news entities, the bill is intended to provide much-needed revenue to struggling local media businesses, which have faced challenges in the digital age. The structured reporting metrics will also allow observation of the impact of such funding over time, with agencies required to publish annual reports detailing their advertising expenses, which aims to enhance transparency and accountability in how public funds are utilized.
House File 2609, introduced by Representative Anderson, mandates that starting July 1, 2025, at least 50% of the advertising expenditures by state agencies must be directed towards local news organizations. This initiative aims to bolster local journalism, ensuring that state agencies prioritize local outlets for their advertising spend. The bill specifically applies to expenditures aimed at raising awareness about state programs and services, and it does not extend to advertising that target out-of-state residents. This effort reflects a growing recognition of the importance of regional news sources in communicating government action and services to constituents.
While supporters of HF2609 argue that it will revive local journalism and increase the quality of information available to citizens, some may raise concerns regarding the feasibility of this mandate. Critics might argue that it could limit the flexibility of agencies to access larger, regional or national platforms that may better serve specific informational purposes. Moreover, questions about which organizations qualify as 'local news' could arise, potentially leading to debates over definitions and eligibility, as well as broader implications for media competition within the state.