A free, independent press is the backbone of America.
Locally owned independent newspapers, in turn, are the backbone of a free press. Without independent locally owned newspapers, governments and corporations can, and will, operate without boundaries — that is our basis, our purpose, and the reason independent news outlets have become a community through CINA.
Diversity of ownership prevents central control and power strangleholds over information. Knowledge is power; your local independent news media has a vested interest in your community, because we live here. The media is best owned by the people whose primary interest is to protect the fact-based free flow of information — unlike national and global companies looking to squeeze profits for investors. When global corporations and out of area nonprofits take over local news markets, journalism suffers.
California is producing tumbleweeds as news deserts continue to expand in our state.
Big Tech and Big Media continue to aridify the news ecosystem as longtime community newspapers are stripped for their parts, and news reporters and news coverage are drastically reduced. CINA is committed to growing reporting coverage in California in locally owned and operated news outlets through awareness, grant funding, business development and legislation.
California’s Local Journalist Employment Tax Credits AB 2222
CINA SUPPORTS
introduced by Assemblymember Christopher M. Ward on Feb. 19, 2026 with support from Rebuild Local News,
Would create refundable tax credits for California local news organizations based on the number of journalists they employ, with enhanced benefits for the smalles
California’s Local Journalist Employment Tax Credits AB 2222
CINA SUPPORTS
introduced by Assemblymember Christopher M. Ward on Feb. 19, 2026 with support from Rebuild Local News,
Would create refundable tax credits for California local news organizations based on the number of journalists they employ, with enhanced benefits for the smallest community newsrooms and outlets creating new journalist jobs.
AB 2222 creates two types of refundable tax credits for employing journalists. (“Refundable” means that credits in excess of an organization’s tax liability are paid in cash, like a grant.) The first credit, a job retention credit, is worth $20,000 per journalist for up to five positions, plus $15,000 per every additional journalist. The second credit, a $15,000 “new hire” credit for news organizations that expand journalist headcount, can be stacked on top of the retention credits. See full press release from Rebuild Local News on the Legislative Watch Page
AB 1821 Amend Section 7922.535 of the Government Code, relating to public records. Please join the California Independent News Alliance (CINA) 501(c)(3) in opposing a bill against public transparency and access to public records: AB 1827
We join the First Amendment Coalition in protecting the public access to the public's business.
If pa
AB 1821 Amend Section 7922.535 of the Government Code, relating to public records. Please join the California Independent News Alliance (CINA) 501(c)(3) in opposing a bill against public transparency and access to public records: AB 1827
We join the First Amendment Coalition in protecting the public access to the public's business.
If passed, the bill would fundamentally alter the California Public Records Act, a vital sunshine law that ensures the people’s business be done in public view, making state and local governments less transparent and less responsive to the people they serve. Specifically, it would:
Allow government agencies to charge hefty fees for public records
Give local governments the authority to deem requests “not properly requested” and therefore invalid
Allow local governments even more time to delay their responses
Empower government agencies to sue members of the public if they feel a request was made with “malicious intent,” which seems left to the interpretation of whoever is holding the public records someone is asking to see
GOBiz Money - How to get it?
Visit and https://cacivicmedia.org
Take the Eligibility Quiz and Register.
Register for the June 30th Webinar if you have not done the last one.
Update your website to include your Ethics policy and your Corrections policy.
REMINDER: Applications opening is July 6th.
The California Civic M
GOBiz Money - How to get it?
Visit and https://cacivicmedia.org
Take the Eligibility Quiz and Register.
Register for the June 30th Webinar if you have not done the last one.
Update your website to include your Ethics policy and your Corrections policy.
REMINDER: Applications opening is July 6th.
The California Civic Media Program website is now live, where you can learn about the program’s guidelines, check your eligibility, pre-register your account, and apply once the application portal opens Monday, July 6, 2026. The application period closes Friday, August 21, 2026, and awards will be announced Fall 2026.
Welcome to a community of independent California news media owners, publishers and editors. We are partnering to revive and fortify California’s independent news ecosystem. We have seen how our lack of connection and engagement with other independent outlets has left us as islands unto ourselves, under siege by Big Tech and Big Media. The result has been a lack of representation in California’s journalism legislation, without the help of our peers to face the challenges of the news business.
We have taken next steps to secure our future and strengthen local independent news reporting in California through a better connection. We have organized ourselves into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and plan to raise funds for local independent reporting and media literacy. The alliance acts to support and inform publishers of industry knowlege and trends, grapple with questions of ethics, and advocate for relevant legislation with one big voice.
We are following legislation, seeking input, finding allies, tracking bills, making calls, sending newsletter updates with action items, and showing up. It is working, so thanks to all who participate.
CINA is building opportunity, and plans to create a benefit corporation, California Independent News Association to support ourselves through advertising contracts. CINA has been awarded one RFP for 2026 and partnered with affiliates on CINA group ad buys to sustain our businesses.
We are discussing so much more: Such as crafting legislation, events, business development, building alliances, revenue generation, forums, education programing, grant funding and more.
CINA is a professional alliance that seeks input from members before setting policy. It will take many hands to accomplish our growing goal set. We invite you to join us. We are created allied, affiliate, and supporter memberships. Donate to the California's essential connected local news outlets. We welcome your input, contributions, experiences, insights, and visions.
Most of us do this for love — for adrenaline, for craft, for our communities, and for the sunshine that facts bring to the people, leading them to truth and action. We are California’s Fourth Estate and we are writing our state’s first draft of history.
Alameda Post, Almanac, American Canyon Current, American River Messenger, Arden Arcade News, Atascadero News, Brentwood Press, Calistoga Tribune, Carmichael Times, Chino Valley Champion, Citrus Heights Messenger, Claremont Courier, Coachella Valley Independent, The Community Voice, The Coast News, Coastal View News, Colusa Pioneer Review, Compton Bulletin, Coronado Eagle, Dixon Independent Voice, Elk Grove Citizen, Gold River Messenger, Journal Danville, SanRamon.com, East Bay Express, Escalon Times, East Sacramento News, Firebaugh-Mendota Journal, Fullerton Observer, Gilroy Dispatch, Good Times Santa Cruz, Grapevine Independent, Gridley Herald, Gustine Press-Standard, Healdsburg Tribune, High Country Journal, Hollister Freelance, Idyllwild Town Crier, Impulso, King City Rustler, Land Park News, La Nueva Voz, Larchmont Chronicle, Livermore Vine, Mad River Union, Malibu Times, Manteca Bulletin, Mariposa Gazette, Metro Silicon Valley, Mid Valley Times, Moonshine Ink, Morgan Hill Times, Mountain View Voice, Napa County Times, North Bay Bohemian, North Coast Journal, Oakdale Leader, Ojai Valley News | Ventura County Sun, Pace News, Pacific Sun, Palo Alto Online, Palo Alto Weekly, Paso Robles Press, Patterson Irrigator, Pleasanton Weekly, Pocket News, Point Reyes Light, Press Banner, Redwood City Pulse, Rio Linda Times, Riverbank News, River Valley Times, The Business Journal, The Galt Herald, Salinas Valley Tribune, The Trinity Journal, San Diego Voice & Viewpoint, San Jose Inside, Santa Barbara Independent, Santa Clara Weekly, Santa Clarita Valley Signal, Santa Paula Times, Shafter Press, Territorial Dispatch, The Ark, The Ceres Courier, The Desert Review, The Downey Patriot, The Ferndale Enterprise, The Independent, The Kerman News, The Norwalk Patriot, The Pajaronian, The Riverside Record, The Sun-Gazette, Tracy Press, Tuesday Review, Turlock Journal, Vida Newspaper, Wasco Tribune, West Sac News-Ledger, West Side Advance, Westside Connect, West Side Index, Yountville Sun
Visit the membership and transparency page for more information. Call, or send us an email to discuss membership opportunities and donation opportunties, or to sign up for newsletters, or to join the alliance.
We look forward to hearing from you and working together to revive and sustain local independent news outlets in California.
206 North Signal Street, Ojai, CA, USA
