
One Big Thing: How the Slow Death of Local News Weakens our Democracy
Join us and spread the word to your community
What is it?
- Local news outlets are disappearing and with them, our best sources for the important stories happening in our own backyard. Local reporting is the bedrock of our society and the diminished presence of local news outlets will undermine the mechanisms of local accountability, thus fundamentally weakening our democracy from the bottom to the top.
- Many local papers are unable to compete with the national or international news networks like Fox News, CNN or ABC News. Last year Pew Research reported that more than 70 percent of Americans think their local news media are doing well financially, yet only 14 percent have directly paid for or donated to a local news source.
Why is it important?
- PEN American reported that Americans trust their local news networks almost 25 percent more than national news networks. This is because of the unique relationships that local journalists have with their constituents.
- Even as local journalism disappears, the means of all journalism has fundamentally changed. Social media algorithms that control users’ newsfeeds have distorted the normal means by which news outlets disseminate information. Whether it is the New York Times or Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, news outlets are forced to tailor everything from articles’ titles and associated photos to their conclusions to fit the social media companies’ systems.
- Yet, not all is lost. The Knight Foundation sees new opportunities and growth for local news, using new models for reporting and revenue.
What can you do?
- Find out what local news outlets are near you and ways to subscribe at mylocalpaper.com and see local news from all over the country at hometownnews.com
- Learn more about this issue from PEN America and see how the disappearance of local news hurts civic engagement
- Listen to the experts at this year’s Knight Foundation’s Media Forum focus on local news and democracy.
- Where do you get your local news? Tell us HERE
Featured
-
One Big Thing: Do you think public trust in institutions is important to democracy?Last week insurgents forced themselves onto the floor of the U.S. Capitol and American democratic institutions faced read more...
-
Ask the Expert - Episode 6: When can you expect to know the election result?As a part of the We Hold These Truths 2020 Election Center , the Ask the Expert Series with Trevor Potter will provide you with read more... Short Video
-
People of Hong Kong Receive Leadership AwardThe second annual John McCain Prize for Leadership in Public Service has been awarded to the people of Hong Kong in recognition read more... News
-
How do you plan on practicing Maverick voting?Almost two years ago, we made the call for Mavericks – people who challenge the status quo; people who defend the dignity of read more...
-
Introducing the Diplomacy CaucusThe ongoing impeachment hearings in Washington, DC have had the unintended consequence of dragging down the morale of America’s read more... News
Join we hold these truths and take action on human rights