In the past two decades, at least 1,300 communities have lost their local commercial newspapers. And while digital startups and legacy and independent newsrooms are filling some of these gaps, the overall picture remains bleak. These efforts need to be scaled if we want to not only ensure that Americans have access to local information, but also to make sure they can keep an eye on their own community leaders and hold them accountable.
Americans continue to value local news, with eight in 10 saying it’s important to their community. And when it comes to core functions like keeping them informed and holding their community’s leaders accountable, people think that local journalism does the best job of any source.
When asked about their sources of local news, the majority say they get most of their info from traditional outlets like their local TV station, newspaper or radio. They also turn to friends/family and social media for a significant share of their local information.
In addition, the majority of Americans who pay for their local news say they do so because it helps them stay informed about topics they care about, such as their community’s economy or government and politics. But while the vast majority of Americans think local news is important, young adults are less likely to say they follow it closely and are more likely to be among those who don’t pay for their local news. This is an area where policymakers can help by addressing a number of issues including digital privacy policies, public broadcasting policies and the need for digital platforms to better compensate local news organizations for content.
About the Author
