Local news: the state of play
The leading global English-language news sites in the United States like nytimes.com and cnn.com regularly draw in over half a billion monthly visits. Meanwhile, over 2,500 local daily and non-daily newspapers closed or merged with other papers over the last two decades, leaving communities across the U.S. with less or limited access to publications covering their immediate area. These communities are called news deserts.It is true that larger digital-native news websites, longstanding online papers, and national TV news networks serve a vital purpose in keeping the public informed about national and international affairs. This is particularly true of non-partisan news outlets offering unbiased coverage. However, by their very nature, they do not necessarily aid local people in need of local updates and information. Further, the audiences living in areas without a local newspaper have a poverty rate five percent higher than the national average. This means that underprivileged consumers are the ones most at risk of becoming alienated from important local happenings.
The consumer perspective
Not only is local news overall more trusted than national, but consumers also identify more with local news regarding specific coverage. A late 2021 survey identified a clear preference for local news coverage over national reporting when it came to key local updates, information regarding voting, and reporting the news impartially, highlighting the demand for community-based publications.Journalists are also aware of some areas for improvement. According to the results of a 2022 survey, one fifth of journalists admitted they felt that bias and partisanship was the weakest ability of the U.S. news industry. When asked about the news industry’s best aspects, journalists were reluctant to cite their ability to connect with the public or to cover specific topics. When local consumers are calling for unbiased reporting and relevant coverage, but journalists themselves doubt the industry’s capabilities in both respects, this begs the question of how underserved communities may come to access the news they need.
