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States Newsroom Seeks Support to Ensure Factual Coverage of 2026 Midterm Elections
As media consolidation accelerates across the United States, nonprofit journalism organizations are stepping up efforts to ensure comprehensive coverage of state governments ahead of the crucial 2026 midterm elections.
“From Perry Sook to Jeff Bezos, a small number of influential owners have a powerful hold on so much of the information and political influence that reaches the public,” warns States Newsroom, the nation’s largest nonprofit news organization. “We run the risk of a media blackout if reliable state-level reporting disappears.”
The organization is launching a fundraising drive to bolster its network of state-based news outlets that provide free, nonpartisan coverage of state politics and policy issues. With commercial newsrooms continuing to cut statehouse reporting positions, nonprofit journalism has increasingly filled critical information gaps in state capitals nationwide.
States Newsroom currently operates newsrooms in 39 states and maintains content-sharing partnerships with leading nonprofit news outlets in 11 additional states, creating a comprehensive national network of state government coverage. Their reporting focuses on issues that directly impact voters, including state budgets, education access, immigration policies, and climate change litigation.
Recent studies highlight the growing importance of nonprofit news organizations in statehouse coverage. According to research cited by States Newsroom, the percentage of statehouse reporters working for nonprofit newsrooms has more than tripled since 2014. These nonprofit journalists now constitute the largest portion of the statehouse press corps in 10 states and the second largest in 17 states.
The funding appeal comes at a critical juncture for both journalism and democracy. As traditional news outlets continue to face financial pressures, many have reduced or eliminated coverage of state governments—precisely when policy decisions at the state level have grown increasingly consequential.
“The public is vulnerable to political propaganda where there is no access to reliable news outlets, especially when local news organizations are laying off staff who cover state capitals,” States Newsroom noted in its appeal. The organization emphasizes that its content remains free of paywalls, pop-ups, and advertisements, making critical information accessible to all citizens.
The group’s outlets, which include organizations like the Florida Phoenix, Michigan Advance, and Virginia Mercury, cover a range of politically diverse states. Their reporting frequently examines how state-level policies intersect with national issues that will feature prominently in the 2026 elections.
Beyond election coverage, States Newsroom’s outlets regularly investigate state budget processes, education policies, environmental regulations, and healthcare initiatives—areas where state governments wield significant authority and where informed voter decisions require reliable information.
The fundraising initiative allows for both one-time and recurring donations of any amount, with all contributions supporting noncommercial journalism aimed at filling information gaps as traditional media coverage contracts.
Media industry analysts have noted that the rise of nonprofit newsrooms represents one of the most significant shifts in American journalism over the past decade. While these organizations cannot fully replace the scale of traditional newspaper coverage at its peak, they have become essential sources of information about state government activities.
As the 2026 midterm elections approach, with contests for governors’ mansions and congressional seats that will shape national policy for years to come, the organization argues that supporting independent state-level journalism is critical to maintaining an informed electorate.
Through this fundraising effort, States Newsroom aims to ensure that voters in all 50 states have access to fact-based reporting on the issues and candidates that will appear on their ballots, regardless of their ability to pay for news or their geographic location.
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10 Comments
Media consolidation is certainly a concern, as it can lead to biased or incomplete reporting. I’m glad to see States Newsroom working to fill the gaps in state-level coverage.
Absolutely. Diverse and objective news sources are essential for citizens to make informed decisions at the polls.
It’s encouraging to see efforts to bolster fact-checking and nonpartisan reporting ahead of the 2026 elections. Restoring trust in the democratic process is critical.
Ensuring accurate and impartial coverage of state-level elections is vital. I applaud States Newsroom’s efforts and hope they receive the support they need to succeed.
Agreed. Strengthening local journalism is crucial for a healthy democracy at all levels of government.
This is an important initiative to ensure transparent and factual coverage of the 2026 elections. Fact-checking efforts are crucial to counter the spread of misinformation and maintain a well-informed electorate.
I agree, independent journalism plays a vital role in a healthy democracy. Supporting nonprofit news organizations like States Newsroom is a worthy investment.
As someone who follows mining and energy news closely, I’m interested to see how States Newsroom’s coverage will tackle these important industry issues in the run-up to 2026.
Good point. Comprehensive reporting on natural resources and related policy debates will be key for voters in those sectors.
Fact-checking is essential, but it’s also important that nonprofit news maintains its independence and avoids any perception of political bias. I hope States Newsroom can strike that balance.