California’s $250M Gamble: Can Tech Save Local Journalism?

Is California's latest deal to fund journalism with tech money a lifeline for democracy — or a Trojan horse?

In a groundbreaking move, California has become the first U.S. state to forge a partnership with tech giants, directing $250 million over five years to support local journalism and AI research. This initiative, starting in 2025, aims to reverse the decline of newsrooms across the state, which have been decimated by the digital age.

While Governor Gavin Newsom lauds the deal as a significant breakthrough, critics argue it falls short, questioning the transparency of fund allocation and whether it truly addresses the root causes of journalism’s decline. The partnership, backed by companies like Google and OpenAI, has sparked concerns among journalists who fear it might compromise the independence of the press.

As California leads this charge, the question remains: Will this infusion of tech money preserve journalistic integrity, or is it merely a band-aid on a deep wound?

Read the full article on The Guardian.

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