Local news refers to the full collection of journalism outlets, including newspapers, radio stations, and television networks, that tell the stories of a community. They often provide the essential information people need to live, work, and play in their own backyards, and they support a vibrant democracy by keeping citizens informed and engaged.
Research shows that communities without a strong local news presence suffer from increased political polarization, decreased civic participation (including voting and attending public meetings), and diminished government accountability. To ensure that the rich, diverse, and complex information needs of local communities are met, there is a growing movement to expand the resources available to local newsrooms.
These strategies include partnerships between local newsrooms and larger ones, like the Local Reporting Network, and collaborations between organizations that have complementary strengths, such as local governments and nonprofit newsrooms. They also involve the use of innovative technologies to produce and distribute news, such as podcasting and Hearken-based crowdsourcing.
As the demand for local news continues to wane, media consolidation is making it harder than ever to find a locally-owned station that produces quality news coverage. Many local newsrooms, especially television stations, rely on a network affiliation that ties them to the reputation and branding of national television networks. While these affiliations don’t affect their ownership, the networks do superimpose their branding and studio design on graphics used during local newscasts, and some stations use branded tickers during network morning newscasts.
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