Here is a collection of independent research conducted in recent years on the loss of local news, promising solutions to the local news crisis, the growth of the nonprofit news industry, and the impact of local news on the communities it serves.
Research shows that the loss of local news is having an insidious effect on our democracy — contributing to polarization, decrease in voting, and government accountability. Local news is an essential lever to a healthy democracy; it helps communities understand what’s at stake in local elections, equips them to get involved in the political process by voting, contacting officials and running for office, reduces political polarization, and holds public officials accountable.
The research field is tracking important developments in local news: how it sustains business operations, how it builds buy-in and how it engages communities in an authentic way. Here’s the latest research on the state of the news industry.
The nonprofit model holds significant promise for the sustainability of local news, and philanthropy has a role to catalyze the success of this business model. Here’s what the research says about the news business.
Local news bridges divides in communities, showcases opportunities for community connection, highlights community perspectives, and sheds light on how policy issues affect readers and their neighbors. Here’s what the research says on how local news improves communities.
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