Local news is reporting on events, issues and activities that impact a specific community or geographic area. It’s vital to fostering a sense of community identity, addressing concerns, and engaging with local politics and government. It also places national stories in a relevant context by highlighting the effects of federal budget cuts on local schools, or putting the latest protests over police misconduct in Williamstown into the larger picture of student activism across the nation.
In the United States, local news is generally provided by commercial broadcasting stations or their affiliates. These stations may produce their own standalone newscasts or run shorter segments attached to the nationally networked evening news. In addition, a number of independent newspapers publish daily local news sections.
As with other forms of media, the quality and content of local news varies widely. Traditionally, locally-owned media tend to be more successful at building trust and engagement with local audiences than corporately owned outlets. However, declining advertising revenues can lead to reduced staff sizes and less comprehensive coverage.
While many communities are still served by local television and radio, some have been pushed into “news deserts.” In the United States, people who live in areas without a local newspaper are twice as likely to be dissatisfied with the news they get overall than those living in areas with a paper. Local news helps citizens understand what’s at stake in local elections, enables them to hold public officials accountable, and fosters a sense of belonging.
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