Local news is one of the most important aspects of a healthy democracy. Research shows that it informs citizens about issues that directly affect them, increases voter turnout and civic engagement, reduces political polarization, and holds elected officials accountable for their actions. It is also a major source of employment and economic opportunity.
The Future of Local News
While traditional local media struggles to meet the demands of declining advertising revenue, a growing number of entrepreneurs are developing sustainable business models for news organizations that serve their communities. These efforts range from experimenting with new types of journalism to creating innovative partnerships and collaborations to help communities tell their own stories.
In 2022, network local affiliate TV stations devoted an average of 6.6 hours per weekday to news programming, up slightly from the previous year. This total is comprised of 5.7 hours of local news, including the morning show and late night segment, and 1.7 hours of entertainment.
These efforts are having an impact: In a 2018 Poynter Institute survey, 69% of Americans said they have a “great deal” or “fair amount” of trust in their local news outlets. This figure is higher for local television than for national newspapers and higher still for local digital outlets.
The town of Eudora, Kansas, lost its only newspaper in 2009, leaving a gap in community coverage. Today, The Eudora Times is a thriving online newspaper that publishes six days a week and is edited by journalism students from nearby Grady College. Their reporting focuses on news that would not appeal to a larger audience, subverting the ‘murders and festivals’ syndrome of some hyperlocal sites.
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