Local news connects people to their communities by providing information that citizens need to make good decisions. This includes information on schools, government effectiveness, crime and daily social services like healthcare, transportation and housing. Local news also akes residents aware of civic issues such as corruption and environmental degradation. A well-informed citizenry is essential to a democratic society.
Despite the ongoing decline of newspapers, most Americans continue to get their local news from somewhere, with half getting it from local TV news. However, many of these sources are struggling with financial sustainability. The American Journalism Project seeks to advance a financially sustainable and mission-based local media ecosystem.
A growing number of local nonprofit newsrooms are emerging, with support from for-profit and foundation investors. These start-ups are experimenting with new business models for local journalism, but their successes are limited by the scale of the problem. Many communities are becoming “news deserts” where no local media exists.
This roadmap was developed by Chalkbeat with funding from the Knight Foundation, Democracy Fund and others. It is based on research and conversations with community news leaders, civic information practitioners and innovators.
This report was co-authored by Elizabeth Green, CEO of Chalkbeat; Darryl Holliday, president and publisher of City Bureau; Mike Rispoli, chief innovation officer at Free Press; and a diverse group of local journalists and community activists. It was supported by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the Ford, Democracy, MacArthur and Walton family foundations.