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Black Press Urges DSCC to Expand Black Media Reach in New Ad Campaign

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) has launched a new advertising initiative to encourage Black voter turnout in seven key battleground states. The campaign, “Our Vote. Our Power,” will appear in select Black-owned media outlets across Florida, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin.

Published

7 months ago

October 21, 2024

Oakland Post

The effort focuses on promoting voter participation in the 2024 Senate elections while urging individuals to create a voting plan using the online platform IWillVote.com, where everyone can access information to plan their involvement in the election.

By Stacy M. Brown

NNPA Newswire

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) has launched a new advertising initiative to encourage Black voter turnout in seven key battleground states.

The campaign, “Our Vote. Our Power,” will appear in select Black-owned media outlets across Florida, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin.

“Black voters have the power to shape the outcome of the 2024 election and will play a critical role in defending the Democrats’ Senate majority that is fighting for the values, priorities, and issues that matter most for Black Americans,” said Jessica Knight Henry, DSCC deputy executive director. “This campaign will build on Senate Democrats’ efforts to meet Black voters wherever they are and ensure that every voter has the information they need to make their plan to vote and make their voice heard.”

The campaign’s ads will run in publications including the Florida Star, Baltimore Times, Michigan Chronicle, Call & Post, West Philly Journal, Houston Style Magazine, Dallas Weekly, and the Milwaukee Community Journal starting immediately.

“Technology and social media have given us the opportunity to see history almost repeat itself,” said Jessica Washington, CEO of The Dallas Weekly. “The Black Press has been pivotal in advocating the necessity of civic engagement from our community. This was the case for the first Black vote as it is for this 2024 election.”

Washington added that the Texas Senate election between Republican Sen. Ted Cruz and Democratic Congressman Colin Allred will have a massive impact on education, immigration, and the state’s economy. “Dallas Weekly will do their part, as we have for 70 years, to inform our community on the power of their vote,” Washington affirmed.

However, National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) Chair Bobby Henry, publisher of the Westside Gazette in Fort Lauderdale, voiced concern over the limited scope of the DSCC’s outreach. “I appreciate the effort to reach out to Black voters with your new advertising campaign, but the limited placement in just a handful of local Black newspapers is disappointing and inadequate,” Henry stated. “Black voters have consistently been at the forefront of shaping our nation’s political landscape, and yet, once again, we are seeing minimal investment in ensuring our communities are thoroughly engaged and informed.”

The NNPA is the trade association representing over 200 Black-owned newspapers and media companies, comprising the 197-year-old Black Press of America.

Henry called for a more significant investment. “Our communities deserve more than token outreach; they deserve a comprehensive, robust effort that spans the diversity and geographic reach of Black media outlets nationwide,” he demanded. “To effectively energize Black voters and convey the importance of their participation, there must be a more significant investment in the publications that have historically served as trusted voices and sources of information.”

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OP-ED: Oregon Bill Threatens the Future of Black Owned Newspapers and Community Journalism

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Nearly half of Oregon’s media outlets are now owned by national conglomerates with no lasting investment in local communities. According to an OPB analysis, Oregon has lost more than 90 news jobs (and counting) in the past five years. These were reporters, editors and photographers covering school boards, investigating corruption and telling community stories, until their jobs were cut by out-of-state corporations.

Published

4 days ago

May 23, 2025

Oakland Post

By Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr.
President and CEO, National Newspaper Publishers Association

For decades, The Skanner newspaper in Portland, the Portland Observer, and the Portland Medium have served Portland, Oregon’s Black community and others with a vital purpose: to inform, uplift and empower. But legislation now moving through the Oregon Legislature threatens these community news institutions—and others like them.

As President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), which represents more than 255 Black-owned media outlets across the United States—including historic publications like The Skanner, Portland Observer, and the Portland Medium—l believe that some Oregon lawmakers would do more harm than good for local journalism and community-owned publications they are hoping to protect.

Oregon Senate Bill 686 would require large digital platforms such as Google and Meta to pay for linking to news content. The goal is to bring desperately needed support to local newsrooms. However, the approach, while well-intentioned, puts smaller, community-based publications at a future severe financial risk.

We need to ask – will these payments paid by tech companies benefit the journalists and outlets that need them most? Nearly half of Oregon’s media outlets are now owned by national conglomerates with no lasting investment in local communities. According to an OPB analysis, Oregon has lost more than 90 news jobs (and counting) in the past five years. These were reporters, editors, and photographers covering school boards, investigating corruption, and telling community stories, until their jobs were cut by out-of-state corporations.

Legislation that sends money to these national conglomerate owners—without the right safeguards to protect independent and community-based outlets—rewards the forces that caused this inequitable crisis in the first place. A just and inclusive policy must guarantee that support flows to the front lines of local journalism and not to the boardrooms of large national media corporations.

The Black Press exists to fill in the gaps left by larger newsrooms. Our reporters are trusted messengers. Our outlets serve as forums for civic engagement, accountability and cultural pride. We also increasingly rely on our digital platforms to reach our audiences, especially younger generations—where they are.

We are fervently asking Oregon lawmakers to take a step back and engage in meaningful dialogue with those most affected: community publishers, small and independent outlets and the readers we serve. The Skanner, The Portland Observer, and The Portland Medium do not have national corporate parents or large investors. And they, like many smaller, community-trusted outlets, rely on traffic from search engines and social media to boost advertising revenue, drive subscriptions, and raise awareness.

Let’s work together to build a better future for Black-owned newspapers and community journalism that is fair, local,l and representative of all Oregonians.

Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., President & CEO, National Newspaper Publishers Association