Local news plays a critical role in communities. It reflects the values and culture of residents, informs citizens about their governments and public services and encourages civic engagement. It also fosters community identity by providing a sense of belonging as people become aware of issues that affect them. But in the current media environment, it can be challenging to find and share stories that resonate locally and beyond. These 13 stories show how community journalists are responding to this challenge, using strategies that include solutions journalism and restorative narratives, and working with multiple partners and stakeholders.
Despite these challenges, most Americans have positive views about local news organizations and journalists. A majority say local news outlets are important to their communities, and most say they do a good job of reporting the news accurately. Moreover, those who feel a strong attachment to their community are more likely to follow local news very closely than those who do not.
While a plurality of adults get their local news from newspapers, most do so digitally, either via websites, apps or email. This digital shift is even more pronounced among those who follow local TV news.
Almost three in 10 of those who do not pay for local news say they don’t want to, with most citing that there are free alternatives and others saying they simply do not care enough about their communities to spend money on news. In addition, a substantial share of those who do not pay for local news – including a large percentage of young adults – are unaware that these sources face significant financial challenges.