|
|
|
|
|
One Big
Thing:
Have you experienced a
local news
desert? | |
What
is it?
- According
to Penelope Muse Abernathy and the University of
North Carolina Hussman School of Journalism and
Media, 2,100
newspapers have closed in the past 15 years,
newspaper circulation has fallen
by 54 million since 2005, and 36,000
journalist jobs have disappeared. The areas
which now face a dearth of local news outlets
are known as news deserts.
- The
decrease of local newspapers has left over 1,800
communities without any local news sources,
ranging from rural communities to highly
populated suburbs.
- Many
fear that following the pandemic, many more
local newspapers will disappear, expanding local
news deserts in rural America.
- The
emergence of social media-based advertising, the
decline of local businesses, and consumer
preferences have all contributed to the decline
of local newspapers, but there are significant
consequences for civil society.
Why is it important?
- According
to Kenyon College Professor Nancy Powers, the
decline of local newspapers contributes to the
decline of democracy. Local newspapers
“contribute to greater communication between
government authorities and the population” and
generate greater accountability for local
officials. Local news “sets an agenda” for local
public policies and leads to better civic
discourse.
- As
local newspapers have decreased in number, misinformation
and disinformation have both grown in the
past few years. Local newspapers provide trusted
sources and prevent the spread of misinformation
among less-connected communities.
- News
deserts contribute to a decline
in civil society organizations in rural America,
which contributes to a rise in isolation and
alienation.
What can you
do?
| |
|
Copyright
© 2021 McCain Institute. We Hold These Truths is a
nonpartisan effort of the McCain Institute. It
does not support or oppose any political party or
candidate.
Sent: Tuesday, April 06, 2021
8:54 PM
Subject: One Big
Thing: Have you experienced a local news
desert?
hs... | | |
------------- * ENWL * ------------
Ecological North West
Line * St. Petersburg, Russia
Independent Environmental Net
Service
Russian: ENWL (North West), ENWL-inf (FSU), ENWL-misc (any
topics)
English: ENWL-eng (world information)
Send information to
en...@lew.spb.org,
enwl...@lew.spb.org,
en...@lew.spb.org,
en...@lew.spb.orgSubscription, Moderator:
vf...@lew.spb.org or
en...@enw.net.ruArchive:
http://groups.google.com/group/enwl/Additionally:
http://www.enwl.net.ru/ (C) Please refer to exclusive articles of
ENWL
-------------------------------------
