Last month I was in New York for a meeting that included at least 40 Black newspapers from across the country.
The focus of our conversation was how we can survive, let alone thrive, in an anti-DEI world. Every one of us had examples of long-time supportive advertisers and supportive organizations who had cut down or cut out completely their support for our publications.
At THE VOICE, we noticed it this year in our always-popular Black History Month special section. One of our most financially successful special sections was almost devoid of advertising. It became obvious: our regular advertisers weren’t returning our calls and advertising in Black History sections was something to avoid.
In New York, we collectively came up with ideas for moving forward, but most of all, we spoke about the overwhelming need for our communities to support us as we continue to support them with our focused coverage. As stated by Janis Ware, who was at that New York convening, “We need you now more than we ever needed.”
By Tannistha Sinha , Houston Defender
Black media outlets across the country are preparing for what could be a new era of financial and editorial strain that will put survival to the test in the upcoming years.
With an ideological backlash against Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives that help fund advertising in Black media, publishers are now anticipating a new landscape ahead.
President Donald Trump is implementing a 25% additional tariff on imports from Canada where 80% of newsprint paper is imported from. These tariffs could exacerbate the challenges newspapers have faced for years.
We need you more now than we ever needed you.
Janis Ware, Publisher, The Atlanta Voice
Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., president and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), representing more than 230 regional and local Black newspapers, expressed his opposition to the tariffs.
“The tariffs will have a very negative impact on Black-owned newspapers and other Black-owned businesses,” he said. “They will make it very expensive for our newspapers to stay in business.”
Tariffs, DEI & the Shrinking Ad Dollar
Denise Rolark Barnes, publisher of the Washington Informer, said Trump’s stance on DEI will also impact the Black newspaper industry, as funds from advertisements will stall.
“People don’t realize that the advertising dollars that corporations spend with us come out of a DEI budget,” she said. “They’re pulling back on what they used to do in spending in our publications … folks are nervous about how they’re spending their ad dollars and that entrenchment does impact us.”
However, the economic pressure is only part of the story. Janis Ware, publisher of The Atlanta Voice, one of the longest-running Black newspapers in the South, anticipates adjusting the paper’s overall operational costs to afford printing and distributing costs or slashing the number of pages.
Simultaneously, Ware is considering elevating The Voice’s digital presence on social media and newsletter, which also comes with a hefty price tag. Older generations, who do not turn to digital media for news, may find it difficult to adapt to this transformation.
Will Writing the Truth Come at a Price?
Ideological changes across the U.S. are also impacting editorial decisions in newsrooms.
The Trump Administration is bringing pressure on the media and free speech. You’ve seen it! He kicked the Associated Press out of the White House News Pool and pressured ABC into a $15 million settlement for something he didn’t find “fair.” He’s denied access to law firms with partners he doesn’t like and continues to pressure universities to change their “woke” messaging.
Chavis admits newspapers are grappling with “increasing anxiety.”
However, the Black press is no stranger to political headwinds. “The Black Press is resilient,” said Chavis. “We don’t retreat, we keep moving forward despite the obstacles that may be put in our path. Our mission doesn’t change because of who’s in the White House.
“The mission of the Black Press is to print the facts, the truth, but also be an advocate for freedom, justice and equality. We’re going to keep pressing forward and do what the Black Press does best and represent the interest and the voice of Black America.”
A Call for Community Support
Despite financial pressures and political threats, Ware says the community’s support is more important than ever.
“We reach out to the community and say, ‘We need you now more than we ever needed.’ We go to the ministers and say, ‘We need you as well,’” said Ware.
Barnes said Black publishers must continue to document historical moments.
“A hundred years from now, when people look back at this moment in time, they’re gonna wanna know how the Black Press dealt with it, how the Black community dealt with it, how White folks dealt with us,” she said. “It’s a period that’s rich in news.”
