Local news focuses on events, issues and stories that directly affect the people of a specific community or geographic area. It plays a critical role in informing residents about the actions of their local government, providing access to public services and events, and fostering a sense of community engagement and connection.
Local news can be produced and disseminated through a variety of media platforms, including newspapers, radio, and local television broadcasts. In the United States, local news is primarily provided by local commercial broadcasting channels (some of which are television network affiliates). It can be delivered as standalone evening newscasts or short segments that air attached to national morning newscasts.
A key challenge for local news is financial sustainability, as advertising revenues decline and competition from digital platforms rise. These challenges can lead to reduced coverage or reduced depth of reporting, and can also have a negative impact on trust in the news media.
As local news outlets struggle to survive, some have turned to innovative strategies to provide relevant and engaging content to their communities. For example, the Oglethorpe Echo in Georgia has recruited students from nearby Grady College to serve as its editors. In addition to providing journalism students with a hands-on learning experience, the collaboration allows the newspaper to cover important and timely stories in its county. Other examples of local news innovation include partnerships between smaller newsrooms and larger organizations, such as ProPublica’s Local Reporting Network, to share resources for in-depth coverage, or efforts to increase the reach of a story by including multiple sources of information.