Based on statewide listening sessions and direct stakeholder input, True North supports policy proposals that strengthen local news and civic information systems in three core areas. Stay tuned for our 2027 legislative agenda to be released soon.
Fund Civic Information for Both Everyday and Emergency Needs
True North believes civic information is a public good, essential during elections, emergencies, and the day-to-day life of communities.
The alliance will support policies that:
- Treat civic information as essential infrastructure
- Ensure communities receive timely, accurate information during emergencies
- Strengthen coverage of local government, public services, and community events
- Invest in systems that help local outlets share information efficiently and collaboratively
- Create new revenue streams for local news
Workforce: People to Report, Operate, and Sustain Local Newsrooms
True North believes that no policy solution succeeds without people. Local journalism cannot function without reporters, editors, producers, engineers, and operational staff who can build and maintain newsrooms over time.
The alliance will support policies that:
- Strengthen workforce pipelines into local journalism, including fellowships, mentorships, and retention strategies that allow local outlets to operate sustainably
- Stabilize newsroom staffing, particularly in Greater Minnesota and underserved communities
- Improve retention so journalism remains a viable long-term career
- Reduce structural barriers, including educational debt, that push talent out of the field
Media Literacy: Navigating AI and Misinformation
True North believes that access alone is not enough. Minnesotans need tools to evaluate information, understand how content is produced and distributed, and navigate an information environment shaped by algorithms and artificial intelligence. We do not want to regulate content or outlets.
The alliance will support policies that:
- Expand media and social media literacy education
- Help communities understand and identify misinformation and disinformation
- Address the impacts of AI on information quality and public trust
- Strengthen civic education that connects residents to credible local sources
How This Framework Is Used
This framework guides which proposals the True North News Alliance will endorse, co-lead, or support. It allows for multiple policy approaches while maintaining clear alignment around shared goals: a stable workforce, informed communities, and reliable civic information statewide.