California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed off on a budget bill that includes $25 million in funding for a journalism fellowship program for the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism.
On Friday, UC Berkeley’s dean Geeta Anand spoke out about the program on her Twitter account. “Big news for journalism in the Golden State: Governor Gavin Newsom just signed a budget bill that includes $25 million to help Berkeley Journalism serve local journalism around the state,” Anand wrote.
As part of the program, 40 students a year will be chosen as fellows and be awarded a $50,000 stipend for at least three years starting in 2023, Fox News reports.
“So far as we know, it’s the largest infusion of state-level funds into local journalism ever (fact check, please!),” she said in another tweet. The program was put together to help support and nurture future journalists in an effort to assist local journalism.
“This program will be extraordinarily beneficial for the journalism students we educate and the people of California, who we serve,” said Chancellor Carol Christ. “The greater good is advanced when we can rely on credible, local news coverage that reflects the needs and concerns of all communities. At the same time, providing equitable access to a career in journalism will help ensure our students can thrive professionally, without regard for their origins or identities.”
