Local news provides a window into our daily lives and the world around us. It fosters community identity by reflecting our values, culture and concerns. It serves as a watchdog to hold our local leaders accountable and provides a forum for civic engagement and discussion. The disappearance of local news is a threat to our democracy.
A local TV news station’s selection of stories, framing techniques, and emphasis on certain issues shapes public perception of key problems, such as crime rates or economic development. For example, a local television series that focused on climate change in Hawaii inspired activists and advocacy groups to push for new legislation to address the problem.
In the United States, local news is predominantly available on television and online. About three-quarters of Americans say they get local news at least sometimes. Many of these get it from a variety of sources, including local newspapers and radio and digital news outlets.
Among those who follow local government and politics, only about one-quarter are highly satisfied with the quality of news they receive. However, the quality of local news on weather and traffic is higher, with about four-in-ten highly satisfied.
For more than a decade, the State of Local News project has served as an MRI of the health of local news, providing journalists, philanthropists and community leaders with much-needed data, analysis and context. This year we have expanded our efforts to detect signs of trouble by adding predictive modeling. This tool is designed to help community leaders, philanthropists and journalists take action before a town becomes a local news desert.
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