Local news refers to the reporting of events and activities that affect a specific community or geographic area. It plays a critical role in informing citizens about government decisions and local issues, while encouraging civic engagement and participation. Local news also helps foster a sense of community identity by covering stories that resonate with residents’ values, culture, and concerns.
Local journalism can take many forms, from traditional newspaper articles to hyperlocal blogs and social media platforms. The most successful local newsrooms are those that employ a variety of innovative strategies to create sustainable models for quality reporting and engaging communities. These include collaborative projects with other local newsrooms, diverse sources of funding (such as crowdfunded and philanthropic), and digital engagement tools like Hearken that encourage citizen contributions to stories.
For example, the Hearken-powered “Rising From Rust” project in Mansfield, Ohio, used a variety of digital and offline engagement strategies to tell the story of how manufacturing jobs left town and how the community is working together to revitalize its economy. The project partnered with local businesses, nonprofit organizations, and community leaders to engage citizens in the story of what’s happening in their own backyard.
As newsrooms struggle to survive, the need for local news is more critical than ever. A growing body of research shows that citizens value and trust local news more than any other form of media. In a recent survey, 76% of Americans reported that they have a great deal or fair amount of trust in their local news outlets.