Revitalizing Local news: A Six-Step Plan for the 21st Century
The health of local news is in critical condition, and a concerted effort from investors, policymakers, and news providers is urgently needed to secure its future. According to the Public Interest News Foundation, a six-pronged approach is essential to regenerate local news for the demands of the modern era.
First and foremost, local news must be demonstrably local. Trust in journalism is directly correlated with reporter visibility within the community. when journalists are actively present and accountable, particularly when holding local officials to account, public confidence increases.This necessitates not only robust and independent media regulation, but also the fostering of strong audience relationships and the exploration of co-creational models - actively involving community members in the journalistic process.
A lasting business model is the second crucial element. Reliance on a single revenue stream is precarious; a diversified approach incorporating subscriptions, donations, and commercial partnerships is vital for long-term viability.
Thirdly, local news must prioritize the public interest. reporting should focus on informing and empowering local citizens,steering clear of sensationalism and national-level distractions. The core mission should be delivering relevant, impactful data to the community it serves.
Innovation is the fourth key. While print newspapers remain valuable, local news providers must adapt to evolving audience preferences. Utilizing platforms like short-form video, podcasts, and email newsletters is essential to reach a wider readership. This also requires a re-evaluation of the relationship between big tech platforms and local news organizations. Policymakers need to establish a framework where platforms bear a legal responsibility to prominently feature local news, ensuring accurate and ethical journalism can effectively counter misinformation.
The fifth step focuses on representation. The UK journalism workforce currently lacks diversity, being disproportionately white and able-bodied, with financial barriers hindering working-class individuals from entering the profession. Increasing diversity across all axes of identity is paramount to ensuring local news accurately reflects and serves the communities it covers. Data from the NCTJ highlights this ongoing disparity.
local news must be engaging. As Jonathan Heawood, Executive Director of the Public Interest News Foundation, emphasizes, “Local news will never become sustainable if it’s like the vegetables we’re supposed to eat but just can’t stomach. Local news has got to be a tasty mix of great stories and genuinely useful information.”
The forces seeking to undermine democracy are actively targeting local news. Simply stating its importance is insufficient; local news must be compelling and valuable to regain public support. While challenges are significant, pioneering journalists worldwide are already demonstrating innovative approaches. These efforts require access to “patient capital” – investment focused on long-term sustainability – to build accountable, representative, and engaging local news models.
The window of opportunity to regenerate local news is closing. Urgent action is needed to ensure its survival and, ultimately, the health of democratic norms.
