earlier this week in the wake of acquisition "huffington post" laid off dozens of journalists due to declining advertising revenue. unfortunately, they are not alone. last year digital publishers furlowed or laid off reporters. more people are online like ever before and all-time readership is at an all-time home. also in the wake of the pandemic when local journalism is more important than ever. i quote we are truly facing an extinction level event for local news, end quote. if this trend continues, we risk permanently compromising the news organizations that are essential to our communities, holding the government and corporations accountable and sustaining our democracy. in response to these concerns, the subcommittee examined the effect of market power, market power of the largest technology platforms on the survival of free and diverse press as part of our bipartisan investigation last congress. during our inquiry, we received evidence about the significant and growing aassimtry of power between several dominant online platforms and news publishers. submissions and testimony bef