Local news focuses on events, issues and stories that impact a specific geographic community. This type of journalism enables citizens to stay informed about important local government actions and fosters a sense of connection with the surrounding area. It is often disseminated through multiple channels including newspapers, radio, and television broadcasts.
Unlike national news, which can sometimes make broad claims (such as “unemployment is down nationwide”) that do not reflect the realities of a given locality, local news reports tend to prioritize topics such as weather, traffic, and sports. This allows for greater relevance to the audience and contributes to higher satisfaction levels for local news consumers. However, local news outlets are often challenged by declining advertising revenues, which can result in reduced staff and a narrower focus on community interests.
As a result of these trends, many local news outlets have begun to turn to nonprofit models in order to remain financially sustainable. These organizations raise philanthropic capital as one pillar of their revenue strategies alongside advertising, sponsorship, events, and memberships.
In the United States, the number of local newspapers has declined significantly over the past 15 years and there are now 1,300 communities that are without a newspaper within 15 miles. The local news crisis is impacting communities across the country, with the majority of local media revenue coming from advertising and subscriptions. Despite these challenges, local news continues to be an essential part of American society and the State of Local News Project serves as an annual MRI for the health of local journalism.