As the state of U.S. local journalism continues to deteriorate, contributing to growing news deserts and the proliferation of mis- and disinformation, alternative models for sustaining local news are increasingly paramount. One such alternative to the failing commercial model that deserves more attention, we argue, is the American public media system. While less robust than its international counterparts, the U.S. public media system tends to be less reliant on market support, less subject to commercial pressures, and more devoted to a universal service mission. This study explores to what extent the American public media system may serve to lessen the severity of the local journalism crisis. Drawing on interviews and conversations with two dozen public media practitioners and analysts, our research examines how public media could be reimagined and repurposed to better serve local information needs. We conclude that a renewed investment in the existing system in tandem with structural reforms presents a possible pathway towards a more sustainable future for local news.
Reimagining American public media: A key infrastructure for local journalism
As the state of U.S. local journalism continues to deteriorate, contributing to growing news deserts and the proliferation of mis- and disinformation, alternative models for sustaining local news are increasingly paramount. One such alternative to the failing commercial model that deserves more attention, we argue, is the American public media system. While less robust than its international counterparts, the U.S. public media system tends to be less reliant on market support, less subject to commercial pressures, and more devoted to a universal service mission. This study explores to what extent the American public media system may serve to lessen the severity of the local journalism crisis. Drawing on interviews and conversations with two dozen public media practitioners and analysts, our research examines how public media could be reimagined and repurposed to better serve local information needs. We conclude that a renewed investment in the existing system in tandem with structural reforms presents a possible pathway towards a more sustainable future for local news.
Local News and National Politics
The level of journalistic resources dedicated to coverage of local politics is in a long-term decline in the US news media, with readership shifting to national outlets. We investigate whether this trend is demand- or supply-driven, exploiting a recent wave of local television station acquisitions by a conglomerate owner. Using extensive data on local news programming and viewership, we find that the ownership change led to (1) substantial increases in coverage of national politics at the expense of local politics, (2) a significant rightward shift in the ideological slant of coverage, and (3) a small decrease in viewership, all relative to the changes at other news programs airing in the same media markets. These results suggest a substantial supply-side role in the trends toward nationalization and polarization of politics news, with negative implications for accountability of local elected officials and mass polarization.
Local News and National Politics
The level of journalistic resources dedicated to coverage of local politics is in a long-term decline in the US news media, with readership shifting to national outlets. We investigate whether this trend is demand- or supply-driven, exploiting a recent wave of local television station acquisitions by a conglomerate owner. Using extensive data on local news programming and viewership, we find that the ownership change led to (1) substantial increases in coverage of national politics at the expense of local politics, (2) a significant rightward shift in the ideological slant of coverage, and (3) a small decrease in viewership, all relative to the changes at other news programs airing in the same media markets. These results suggest a substantial supply-side role in the trends toward nationalization and polarization of politics news, with negative implications for accountability of local elected officials and mass polarization.
Opinion: Losing the Local Journalism Initiative leaves communities in the dark
With more outlets vying for federal funding, why are national outlets opening up new bureaus in communities with healthy media ecosystems?
The Metric Media network runs more than 1,200 local news sites. Here are some of the non-profits funding them.
<p>This is the first part of a two-part investigation. The second piece can be found here. As local news outlets across the US struggle to stay afloat, pop-up newsrooms are filling the void. Organizations with ties to political parties, special-interest groups, and lobbyists have emerged under the guise of news. One of the biggest such […]</p>
Advocacy groups and Metric Media collaborate on local ‘community news’
<p>This is the second part of a two-part investigation. The first piece can be found here. Metric Media launched “Community Newsmaker” in 2020 using the language of citizen journalism. However, what appeared to be grassroots news is part of a sprawling network that promotes political agendas and corporate interests, without disclosing those ties to the […]</p>
Local Journalism Directory | Media and Democracy Project
We created a directory to help you find local journalism and local news sources in your area worth reading and supporting.
Push journalism vs. pull journalism
Let's experiment with making news products so relevant that people pull them into their lives
Local Journalism Initiative
In some parts of Canada, residents do not have access to journalism about community issues and institutions through local newspapers, community radio, television or other news media. These gaps in coverage mean that citizens do not have necessary information about news, issues and events that affect them and their day-to-day lives.
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NEWSWELL: When local news thrives, the whole story changes
NEWSWELL is an innovative nonprofit organization. Our mission is to transform local news to help communities and democracy thrive.
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Collaborating to build a sustainable future for local journalism that reflects our communities and preserves democracy.
Home - Black Press Media
Truth MattersClarity MattersCommunity MattersPowered by more than 200 Journalists Any Time. Any Place. Any Device. We are dedicated to serving more than 80 communities across Canada and North America with credible and hyperlocal journalism, brought to our readers by passionate journalists who live where they work. Black Press Media is a catalyst for informed engagement […]
