Local news refers to the full collection of communication outlets — newspapers, radio stations and websites — that serve a defined geographic market. Americans generally have a positive view of their local news media, and they feel it does a good job of keeping them informed about their community. They also find local news does well at promoting civic engagement and providing a forum for discussion and debate.
However, many Americans are dissatisfied with the quality of local news they receive. In fact, when it comes to specific topics such as the economy or local politics, fewer than half of Americans who at least sometimes get this type of news say they are extremely or very satisfied with the quality of the reporting they see.
The good news is that there are a growing number of entrepreneurs who are trying to fill the local news void, from journalists at traditional TV news organizations to founders of digital news startups and nonprofit investigative journalism outlets. Some of these new ventures are experimenting with innovative approaches to reporting such as solutions journalism and restorative narratives, which have the potential to draw more local attention and engagement.
As a result, Americans are becoming more engaged with local news than they were eight years ago. Yet, it is clear that many established local news outlets are struggling financially as their audiences dwindle and their revenue streams fail to keep pace with the rapid rise of social media and other emerging digital platforms.