When communities lose local news coverage, residents may know less about their elected officials, fewer candidates may run for office, and government accountability can suffer. These are the key conclusions of writer Matthew Baker in an article he recently contributed to RebuildLocalNews.org.
Baker’s findings have particular relevance for community newspapers like The Eatonton Messenger, which routinely cover local government meetings, elections, public spending, and other decisions that directly affect residents’ lives.
Frequently, the town newspaper is the lone source available for dependable local coverage, as beyond its routine hometown coverage, TV news in particular tends to gravitate only toward the most lurid or crime-ridden stories from surrounding communities. Otherwise, typically unsubstantiated “reporting” on social media sites like Facebook and NextDoor, fills in some of the blanks, though typically with a highly biased, opinion-based slant.
Meanwhile, Baker’s research linked the strength of local print news to increased voter knowledge and electoral participation, as well as improved government responsiveness. Also, regular coverage of public meetings and government decisions provides local residents and voters the opportunity to keep up with and scrutinize decisions by their elected officials.
Not surprisingly, Baker also found studies show declining local news coverage almost inevitably leads to decreased political knowledge and participation from the public. Not surprisingly, the studies also found citizens with less access to local reporting are less able to identify their representatives’ positions or evaluate their performances in office.
The loss of local news also can affect who runs for office. Baker’s report said a study of 246 mayoral elections in California found the absence of local newspaper coverage typically resulted in fewer candidates, larger winning margins, and more uncontested elections.
Local news also can influence how people vote. Community reporting typically gives all candidates more visibility, but it is especially important to non-incumbent office seekers. It also helps voters to compare candidates before voting.
Local reporting also can encourage voters to consider candidates’ qualifications and policy positions beyond relying solely on national political loyalties. However, local coverage emphasizing political conflict and partisan rivalries can lead to greater polarization, too, Baker pointed out.
Significantly, the influence of local journalism extends beyond elections. Research has linked strong, consistent coverage of government bodies by local press with greater legislative productivity and responsiveness to constituents.
For instance, Baker said studies show that reporting on infrastructure failures can influence officials to support muchneeded investments. In other words, by documenting government actions, public spending, and policy decisions, local news helps residents assess whether elected officials are truly addressing their needs and wants for the community.
Baker also said news availability promotes higher voter turnout. He said recent research found reductions in campaign coverage could be directly linked to a decline in even the likelihood of voting.
Another study apparently found that people who switched away from local newspapers later reported lower confidence in all U.S. elections.
So, the research suggests local news serves a broader purpose than simply delivering high school sports scores, local arts coverage, and charitable initiatives.
By covering the people, governments, institutions, and perhaps most importantly, the decisions that affect us all closest to home, community journalism helps residents make informed choices and provides public officials with an incentive to answer to the people they represent.
All local news organizations face consistent financial, logistical, and emotional challenges, but these findings described at RebuildLocalNews. org underscore what communities stand to lose if that coverage disappears. So, publications like The Eatonton Messenger are not just a source for community kudos and calendar events; they provide an important two-way conduit between citizens and their local governments.