The U.S. Local News Market: An Overview (IV)
During my CUNY summer residence, local newspapers have been the center of the debate in the United States. One reason: John Oliver in his late night TV show, Last Week Tonight, dedicated one of his monologues (‘Journalism’) to the declining fortunes of newspapers and described the fundamental role of local journalism in any media ecosystem. The public discussion had many perspectives, from the publishers’ to the academics’. It also showed to me the strong belief that Americans have about the importance of local media in maintaining democracy and protecting the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
What are the main features of U.S. local news market?
The local markets are divided into three categories: metro, local and hyperlocal. In the first two, we have seen significant changes because the number of traditional newspapers is being reduced and few control the local markets. Two companies, Gate House Media and Digital First Media, are the main players and they are setting dramatic economic benchmarks that may undermine the function of the local press as watchdog of local councils in different communities with a consequent danger to democracy.
At the hyperlocal level, the startup of new local digital companies signals a vibrant hyperlocal market. The availability of hyperlocal data is also a special feature to highlight. One reference source, Michele ‘s List, compiled by Michele McLellan, brings together the top 100 local news startups. It provides data about their sources of income, their singularities, their business strategy, the size of company and the staff (professional or volunteer).
The diversity of the local market makes it difficult to choose the most representative local media. However, here you have my choice: Billy Penn, a mobile local news platform in Philadelphia (opening soon in Pittsburgh); The Corner Media Group, which has eight digital hyperlocal sites in Brooklyn; and Technical.ly, offering tech local news in four cities and one state (Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Delaware, Baltimore and Washington, D.C.). Among the non-profit examples, is The Listening Post, a community media project that aims to start a conversation about local news in New Orleans.
The case of New Jersey
New Jersey has a dynamic local news ecosystem. Two institutions play a central role in this state: the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, which supports local media through its Local News Lab, and the Center for Collaborative Media at Montclair State University, which provides training and sharing opportunities for local news outlets through its NJ News Commons. Its annual conference, to be held Oct. 6–7, will focus on local journalism sustainability issues.
With this post, I wrap my four-part series exploring the media ecosytem during my summer residence at the Tow-Knight Center for Entrepreneurial Journalism at CUNY Graduate School of Journalism in New York.
Here you can read the previous posts: first, second and third.
