The following is a statement from Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association President William Cotter regarding the recent announcement by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
The Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association recognizes that the announced closure of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is a serious development for the communities the newspaper has long served. Any loss of a newsroom matters. But it does not define the state of journalism in Pittsburgh or Pennsylvania more broadly.
In Pittsburgh and across the Commonwealth, the news ecosystem remains strong, diverse, and active. Hundreds of news organizations continue to report rigorously on local and statewide issues, from school boards, counties and townships to courts, the Governor, and the General Assembly. New organizations continue to launch, and existing newsrooms are adapting, innovating, and expanding products while investing in coverage.
Pennsylvanians benefit from a broad network of independent news organizations that take seriously their constitutional role: informing the public, scrutinizing government, and supporting civic participation. While industry challenges are real, the statewide news landscape in Pennsylvania remains robust, and journalists across the commonwealth continue to do essential First Amendment work in the communities they serve.
Please contact Jan Murphy at janm@pa-news.org or 717-756-7075 with questions.
Lobbying Resources
The legislative affairs team comprised of PNA lobbyists and an outside government affairs firm work tirelessly in Harrisburg and across Pennsylvania to advocate for public policy that: serves the business interests of the news media industry; promotes local journalism; protects press freedom; and ensures open and transparent government across the commonwealth.
Public policy issues
The PNA legislative affairs team advocates for public policy serving the business interests of local news media and championing legislation that fosters essential, robust and compelling journalism.
Legislative support
Our legislative professionals work collaboratively to promote public policy that advances issues of greatest concern to our members while opposing bills that would adversely affect Pennsylvania news media organizations and their journalists.
Newspaper research
Local newspapers are key not only to reporting the news and information people want and need, but they are also essential to the economic health of the Pennsylvania communities they serve.
Achieving legislative success
The PNA legislative team is dedicated to serving the interests of our members. These are the goals to which we hold ourselves accountable.
Public notices in Pennsylvania
Public notices are advertisements that inform the public about important government actions before they take place. Public notices are required by law and they must be published in print newspapers of general circulation.
PNA Advocate of the Year Award
The Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association Advocate of the Year award recognizes “dedicated leadership and outstanding advocacy for the Pennsylvania news media industry.”