Over the last two weeks, at least a dozen San Joaquin Valley journalists have been laid off at The Stockton Record, The Fresno Bee and The Modesto Bee, including members and officers of our SPJ Central California satellite chapter.
This is due to layoffs by the corporate hedge fund owner of McClatchy and “restructuring” at USA Today, the holding company that owns The Stockton Record. Both companies have been pushing the use of AI tools to produce content. USA Today journalists anticipate further cuts this winter.
These are award-winning reporters who have covered federal immigration crackdowns, deaths at local poultry plants, unfair dress code policies at schools, protests at schools and the dismantling of local DEI programs.
We know AI can’t replace these journalists. AI isn’t going to ask elected officials why they voted the way they did. AI bots can’t build relationships with sources.
Make no mistake: Our Valley will be worse off with fewer local journalists. Indeed, a 2025 Columbia Journalism Review article cited research that found when local newspapers shutter, corruption festers, and digital media sites don’t do much to fill the gap.
It’s no secret to residents living here that the San Joaquin Valley is underserved. This also applies to local news. According to the 2026 local journalist index compiled by Muck Rack and Rebuild Local News, each of our eight Valley counties has under five local journalist equivalents per 100,000 people, lower than the statewide average of seven. These layoffs will exacerbate this issue.
To this end, please join SPJ of Central California in a number of calls to action.
First, we are fundraising to support laid off journalists with bills such as rent, groceries, medical expenses, and other costs of living. This money will be distributed evenly among those who have been laid off. If you’ve ever appreciated a story in your local newspaper, this is an easy way to show gratitude to a local journalist. Donate here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-laidoff-journalists-in-fresno-stockton-and-modesto
Additionally, join us in urging California Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign AB 2222, which would help strengthen local journalism in California and inspire similarly bold steps across the country. The Community Newsroom Employment and Workforce Sustainability Act 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.
Journalism employers – please do your part to keep Valley journalists local, and hire the journalists who have been laid off. These are journalists who know and care about our communities. We urge you to show them care in return.
