Local news refers to journalism that focuses on issues, events, and people that impact a specific geographic area. It plays a crucial role in shaping community identity and fostering civic engagement by keeping residents informed about government decisions, local events, and public services. Local news also provides a platform for community discourse and serves as a catalyst for collaboration. Local journalism can take many forms, from newspapers to radio and television broadcasts to online platforms. However, declining advertising revenues and competition from digital platforms have placed a strain on local newsrooms and impacted their ability to cover complex local stories.
Despite these challenges, local news remains an important source of information for many citizens. Nearly four-in-ten Americans who consume local news say they are extremely or very satisfied with the quality of their news, including coverage of weather, schools, and community events. However, fewer than two-in-ten are highly satisfied with local news about the economy and jobs, or about local government and politics.
The success of local news depends on its ability to connect with communities. This can be achieved through partnerships and collaborations between smaller newsrooms (such as those in the ProPublica Local Reporting Network) and larger organizations, or by identifying new audiences in underserved communities. In addition, it is vital to develop a sustainability strategy that ensures an organization has the resources to tell complicated, in-depth stories over an extended period of time. This requires a mix of strategies, including diversifying revenue sources and engaging with the community to determine what matters most.