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LOCAL JOURNALISM

By prioritizing independent, community-based journalism, societies can promote civic engagement, counter misinformation, and cultivate local identity and connection.

“The Texas Tribune is the only member-supported, digital-first, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. We envision a Texas where every Texan is empowered with the civic information they need to become full participants in our democracy.” — Texas Tribune

Texas Tribune/MediaShift Mixer by UTKnightCenter (cropped)

Imagine a town hall filled with people discussing issues that directly affect their lives—housing, schools, environmental changes, and local governance, with the information fueling this civic discourse coming from a local newspaper, a community radio station, or an independent website run by people who live in the same neighborhoods. That’s the essence of local media—an ecosystem where news isn’t just broadcast to the public but generated within and for the community it serves.

Over the past few decades, local media has been in steep decline. In the U.S. alone, more than 2,500 newspapers have shut down since 2005. This has resulted in the rise of “news deserts,” areas where there’s little or no local news coverage. People are then left uninformed about local elections, public health, and government accountability. The vacuum is often filled by national outlets that overlook local contexts or, worse, by misinformation spread through social media.

The media landscape is now dominated by conglomerates like Sinclair Broadcast Group in the U.S., which owns hundreds of local television stations and mandates the broadcasting of centrally produced content with a particular ideological slant. This concentration of ownership threatens journalistic independence, reducing the diversity of perspectives and limiting critical scrutiny of powerful interests.

Moreover, social media platforms—while democratizing content creation—have undermined traditional journalism’s business model. Platforms like Facebook and Twitter siphon advertising revenue away from local news outlets, while their algorithms prioritize sensational content over in-depth reporting. This dynamic fuels polarization, spreads misinformation, and diminishes fact-based journalism.

The erosion of local media has profound consequences for democracy. Communities without robust local journalism experience lower voter turnout, less civic engagement, and higher municipal borrowing costs due to reduced government accountability. Without local watchdogs, corruption thrives in the shadows, and citizens are left in the dark about decisions that affect their daily lives. Local media grounds news in the immediate environment—stories about neighbors, local heroes, community events, and shared struggles.

In the U.S., Block Club Chicago emerged after the closure of many local newspapers. Funded through reader subscriptions and nonprofit support, it focuses on neighborhood-level reporting, covering issues ignored by larger outlets. Its success demonstrates that people are willing to support local journalism when it’s relevant, trustworthy, and accessible.

Internationally, community radio plays a vital role, especially in areas with limited internet access. In Nepal, community radio stations like Radio Sagarmatha provide news in local languages, promote civic participation, and serve as platforms for marginalized voices. Similarly, in South Africa, community radio has been instrumental in supporting democracy post-apartheid, offering spaces for dialogue, cultural expression, and grassroots activism.

Technology can empower local media. Digital platforms reduce production and distribution costs, enabling independent journalists and small outlets to reach audiences without the overhead of traditional print infrastructure. Crowdfunding, membership models, and nonprofit funding provide alternative revenue streams, reducing dependence on ads.

The Solutions Journalism Network, for example, trains reporters to focus not just on problems but on responses to social challenges. This approach engages audiences more deeply, fostering hope and agency rather than despair. Studies have shown that solutions-oriented reporting increases reader engagement and encourages civic participation.

Nonprofit models are also gaining traction. The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit news organization, focuses on in-depth reporting about public policy and state politics. Funded through donations, grants, and memberships, it shows that nonprofit journalism can provide high-quality, independent news.

Local journalism fosters media literacy, critical thinking, and civic knowledge. Educational partnerships between schools and local media can cultivate the next generation of journalists and engaged citizens. Student newspapers, youth radio programs, and media literacy curricula empower young people to understand, produce, and critically evaluate news.

Resilience is another key benefit. In times of crisis—natural disasters, public health emergencies, or civil unrest—local media provides life-saving information tailored to specific contexts. During Hurricane Katrina in 2005, local radio stations were crucial in disseminating information when other communication channels failed. Similarly, during the COVID-19 pandemic, local media played an essential role in sharing health guidelines and vaccine information.

Community engagement is key. Participatory journalism models, where citizens contribute stories, photos, and perspectives, fosters ownership and accountability, transforming audiences from consumers into active participants in public discourse.

Local media must navigate both local and global contexts. Cross-border collaborations, like the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), hold transnational power to account. At the same time, local reporting ensures that global issues are connected to local realities, making complex topics like climate change or economic globalization more tangible and relevant.

Indigenous media outlets show media’s role in cultural survival and self-determination. In Canada, APTN News (Aboriginal Peoples Television Network) offers national news from an Indigenous perspective. In New Zealand, Māori television and radio stations play a crucial role in language revitalization and cultural preservation.

Local media offers a world fragmented by disinformation a path to shared reality and collective purpose.

Therefore, under Folklaw:

Local media shall be supported through public funding, community ownership models, and legal protections that ensure journalistic independence and diversity. Tax incentives will encourage local advertising and support nonprofit news organizations. Educational programs will promote media literacy, journalism skills, and civic engagement.

Public institutions will collaborate with local media to disseminate critical information during emergencies. Legal safeguards will protect press freedom and support investigative journalism.

Indigenous media outlets and minority-language publications will receive dedicated support to preserve cultural diversity. Digital platforms will be regulated to ensure fair distribution of local news content, countering the dominance of global media conglomerates.

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