Nate Payne, the Regional Editor for KFF Health News, provided us with an interesting and thought-provoking presentation on local news reporting, including the history of local news and the decline of local newspapers, the transition to digital advertising, how the loss of local reporting impacts communities, and work that is going on to invigorate local news. Nate also did a great job answering our many questions, including what Substack is, how to deal with disinformation, and how to select fair and balanced news sources.
Driven by the transition to digital advertising over the last 20 – 30 years, local newspapers have lost advertising dollars, and the result has been a 40-50% decline in local newspaper employment and the shuttering of many local newspapers. This means that there are no reporters sitting in on local government meetings, and voters are not receiving needed information, which in turn reduces voter engagement. In addition, the growth of AI-generated news means an increased opportunity for misinformation. So, how do we figure out a model to support local journalists? Press Forward, a coalition of national funders, is investing money to strengthen local newsrooms, close gaps in news coverage, and scale the infrastructure to survive. We have our own Press Forward Northern Michigan chapter through the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation. Nate encouraged us to get to know our local and regional news outlets and to follow them.