Local news has long been a cornerstone of America’s media landscape, and while many community newspapers have closed in recent decades – and fewer people are reading them than ever – for-profit and nonprofit ventures are filling the void. These entrepreneurs are experimenting with new business and journalistic models in an attempt to build financially sustainable, mission-based local news organizations. They are working to ensure that whatever replaces the thousands of communities that have lost their newspapers will serve the same community-building functions.
Americans have a positive view of their local news outlets and believe they do the best job of keeping residents informed, serving as watchdogs and amplifying stories in their community. In fact, the public rates local news higher than social media and community-based apps when it comes to these activities.
Local journalists often play a critical role in helping to shape the political debate in their community by uncovering government and civic issues, including issues of corruption and waste. They also inform the public about what is happening in their area, such as local crime or cultural events.
In 2022, a majority of Americans said they frequently got their local news from mainstream news outlets such as local TV and radio. These included the major broadcasting networks’ local news affiliates (33%), local newspaper or magazine (14%), and local talk radio (15%). However, a sizable minority of Americans (13%) primarily relied on online and mobile phone platforms such as Facebook and Snapchat for their local news.