A free, independent press is the backbone of America.
Locally owned independent newspapers, in turn, are the backbone of a free press.
Without locally owned newspapers, governments can, and will, operate without boundaries — that is our basis, our purpose, and the reason we exist.
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 and operate where you live. The media should be 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.
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 through awareness, grant funding, business development and legislation.
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 are taking next steps to secure our future and strengthen local independent news reporting in California through a better connection. We are organizing ourselves into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit to be able to raise funds for more independent reporting — to inform publishers of the news business and of relevant legislation so we may advocate with a bigger voice for our interests.
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 501(c)(6) (California Independent News Association) to pull our reach together to win more large 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: events and networking opportunities, content sharing, the "Google deal," forums, education, 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 planning affiliate memberships and donation opportunities as we move forward. We welcome your input and 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.
"Public Notice" (Asm. Heath Flora) AB 1444 OPPOSE without amendment.
What’s wrong with AB 1444? Section C.
"Public Notice" (Asm. Heath Flora) AB 1444 OPPOSE without amendment.
What’s wrong with AB 1444? Section C.
"The Keep News Independent Act" AB 611 (Asm. Alex Lee) is supported by California Common Cause, California Independent News Alliance, Rebuild Local News, and Media Workers. The bill would have required a waiting period before a legacy local news outlet could sell to a company that is not independently owned.
AB 611 passed the CA Assembly
"The Keep News Independent Act" AB 611 (Asm. Alex Lee) is supported by California Common Cause, California Independent News Alliance, Rebuild Local News, and Media Workers. The bill would have required a waiting period before a legacy local news outlet could sell to a company that is not independently owned.
AB 611 passed the CA Assembly in 2024 but was held up in the Senate Judiciary Committee. AB 611 can be brought back in 2026 as a 2 year bill. CINA and the working group are working on a complete revision to put forward with Assembly member Lee's office. Contact Laura Ward if you are interested in assisting with this effort.
Assemblymember Buffy Wicks. An arrangement between the State of California and Google is being worked on to pay California news publishers to mitigate the damage the monopoly has caused to the news industry. The California Business and Economic Development (GoBiz) has been chosen to distribute funds. If The private funds of $10M are not
Assemblymember Buffy Wicks. An arrangement between the State of California and Google is being worked on to pay California news publishers to mitigate the damage the monopoly has caused to the news industry. The California Business and Economic Development (GoBiz) has been chosen to distribute funds. If The private funds of $10M are not contributed by Google, or any another donor, the State will not provide any funding. The advisory board seats include: California News Publishers Association, California Black Media, Latino Media Collaborative and Ethnic Media Services and Media Guild of the West. CINA seeks a position on the board.
CINA CEO
Publisher, Ojai Valley News Ventura County Sun, Ojai Magazine Ojai Media LLC
CINA Board of Directors
President & Publisher, East Bay
Embarcadero Media
Danville San Ramon, Livermore Vine, Pleasanton Weekly
gchannell@embarcaderomedia.org
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 Community Voice, Independent, 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, 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 Galt Herald, The 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, Vallejo Sun Valley News Group, Vida Newspaper, Wasco Tribune, West Sac News-Ledger, West Side Advance, Westside Connect, West Side Index, Yountville Sun
Send us an email for more information, to sign up for newsletters, or to join our membership.
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
