U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff

After the Los Angeles Times announced plans on April 16 to stop publishing the Glendale News-Press, Burbank Leader and La Cañada Valley Sun, U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) issued a statement about the decision.

“I was saddened to learn of the decision by the Los Angeles Times to shut down the Glendale News-Press, Burbank Leader and Valley Sun. These are institutions that have served our community for decades, and have chronicled and guided our way forward for as long as many of us can remember,” Schiff said. “I have read these papers for decades and had the privilege of working with many of their reporters and editors. And while I’m sure I took issue with some of their articles from time to time – as it should be – I never once doubted their skill and professionalism, or their passion for serving our community. Whether it was uncovering wrongdoing or profiling one of our amazing residents or documenting our community coming together, you could be certain these papers would be there.”

Schiff said he is also concerned about the closure’s impact on the media and print journalism industry.

“I would be remiss if I didn’t say that I am deeply worried that the loss of these three papers is being repeated all over the country in communities large and small. It has been going on for years, but the sudden onset of the coronavirus pandemic has accelerated these trends, and more and more places are becoming news deserts, without dedicated journalists to investigate corruption and tell local stories. This is a tremendous loss, and a threat to democracy. Though there are no easy answers, I believe it is important that Congress examine ways we can support local journalism of the sort the News-Press, the Leader and the Sun have practiced for many years,” Schiff said. “I want to say thank you to the journalists, editors and publishers from these great local institutions, both past and present. Thank you for your service to our community, and know that you and your work will be deeply missed.”