News Hole
The Demise of Local Journalism and Political Engagement

Explores how the decline in local political reporting has depressed citizen engagement with local politics in the US.

Danny Hayes (Author), Jennifer L. Lawless (Author)

9781108819848, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 16 September 2021

250 pages
22.9 x 15.1 x 1.5 cm, 0.37 kg

'For those who still question why the decline of local journalism matters, this book provides the answer, through a series of clear and compelling studies that show how democracy suffers as local journalism deteriorates. And, not content to just sound the alarm, Hayes and Lawless explore a key solution path – resuscitating audience demand for local news.' Philip Michael Napoli, Duke University

In recent decades, turnout in US presidential elections has soared, education levels have hit historic highs, and the internet has made information more accessible than ever. Yet over that same period, Americans have grown less engaged with local politics and elections. Drawing on detailed analysis of fifteen years of reporting in over 200 local newspapers, along with election returns, surveys, and interviews with journalists, this study shows that the demise of local journalism has played a key role in the decline of civic engagement. As struggling newspapers have slashed staff, they have dramatically cut their coverage of mayors, city halls, school boards, county commissions, and virtually every aspect of local government. In turn, fewer Americans now know who their local elected officials are, and turnout in local elections has plummeted. To reverse this trend and preserve democratic accountability in our communities, the local news industry must be reinvigorated – and soon.

1. The Local Political Engagement Puzzle
2. The Great Gutting of US Newspapers
3. Where Local News Has Suffered Most
4. As Local News Goes, So Goes Political Engagement
5. Everyone Loses When Local News Declines
6. Saving Local News
7. Local News and American Democracy.

Subject Areas: Press & journalism [KNTJ], Politics & government [JP], Media studies [JFD]