Local news is an important part of a healthy democracy. It gives communities a way to stay connected, helps them understand what’s at stake in their local elections and government decisions, reduces political polarization and encourages civic engagement. But the health of local news ecosystems is under threat. Around the country, many small town newspapers have closed and fewer people are turning to traditional news outlets to keep up with their community.
Many of these organizations struggle to sustain themselves, especially in the face of declining advertising revenue. Some have been acquired or shut down altogether, while others are adapting by adding online content, expanding their digital reach and finding new sources of funding.
Despite these challenges, the majority of Americans continue to say their local media does a good job in some key ways, including reporting accurately, providing a watchdog role and serving as an anchor for their community. These views don’t vary by political affiliation, though Republicans and GOP leaning independents are less positive about their local news than Democrats and Democratic leaning independents.
As the number of Americans who report getting their local news from newspapers continues to decline, other outlets are stepping in to fill the void. For example, in the city of Los Angeles, a nonprofit has launched a digital-only news site called Boyle Heights Beat that trains high school students to produce hyper-local coverage about their community. Much of their reporting focuses on news that would be too boring or uninteresting for larger news outlets, subverting what they call the “murders and festivals syndrome.” A college newspaper in a small Massachusetts town also has a robust local news section.