Bill > AB611

This bill, known as the Keep News Independent Act, aims to protect local news organizations by requiring them to provide extensive notice before a sale or transfer of ownership. Specifically, legacy local news organizations (defined as news outlets that have been operating for at least 10 years and publish content regularly) must provide written notice to employees, subscribers, and the public at least 120 days before finalizing any ownership transaction. The notice must include details such as the intent to sell, the name of the proposed buyer, and the expected date of sale. The bill seeks to preserve diverse and independent local news sources by giving employees, potential buyers, and the community advance warning of potential ownership changes. It applies to news organizations that are not publicly traded, not owned by private funds, and not subsidiaries of larger companies. The legislation is motivated by concerns about the concentration of media ownership and the declining number of journalists in California, with the goal of promoting local reporting, government accountability, and community engagement. The bill does not apply to news organizations that would remain independently owned after a transaction.

Justice, Labor and Employment

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB611