Dr. Pradeep Mahapatra
Digital transformation of local news platforms in the developed nations has created a new chapter in the post-Covid19-pandemic world order. While the local print daily and weekly newspapers continue to close their operation or migrate into digital format, a good number of independent digital native news platforms have emerged. Research findings denote that people in such geographies prefer to access local news from websites, apps and social media instead of television, radio or print platforms.
‘Pew Research Center’ of United States of America conducted a research during January 2024 to understand societal habit in consuming local news. A total number of 5000 American citizen participated in the survey. Half of the people, about 48 percent interested in local news depended upon websites and social media as news sources. The crowed included 26 percent for websites and 23 percent for social media.
Traditionally people searched print newspapers, radio and television for local news. But in 2024 only 32 percent attended to television, only nine percent each preferred print newspapers and radio for local news. In comparison of data between 2018 and 2024, while about 37 percent depended upon websites and social media during 2018, increased to 48 percent during 2024. On the otherhand, the audience of 41 percent for local news through television sets reduced to 32 percent during 2024. Similarly, traffic for print and radio in 2018 which counted 13 and eight respectively, dropped to nine percent each during 2024.
However one third of local news consumers in US consider daily newspapers as the principal source of local news. About 31 percent of readers depended upon print and other 66 percent read newspapers through website, app, email and social media. Print newspaper readership has decreased from 43 percent in 2018 to 31 percent during 2024 and digital readership increased from 54 percent in 2018 to 66 percent during 2024.
Similarly audience of local news through television sets has been dropped from 76 percent in 2018 to 62 percent during 2024. Television audience through digital devices is estimated to be 37 percent. In general, readers and audience of print newspapers and television sets has been decreased. However, in comparison to print media advertisement revenue of television remained stable all through the disruptions.
Pew Research survey indicated satisfaction among the people consuming local news platforms. In 2018, about 63 percent citizens told that local journalists were in contact with them which increased to 69 percent during 2024. About 68 percent consumers of local news preferred reportage about important occurrences, 71 percent for accuracy, 63 percent for transparency and 61 percent laid importance upon journalists keeping an eye on local political leaders.
Commonly followed local news topics included 90 percent for weather, 77 percent for crime, 68 percent for traffic and transport, 68 percent for government and politics, 59 percent for arts and culture, 59 percent for economy, 56 percent for schools and 54 percent for sports. About 69 percent, majority of survey respondents wanted journalists to remain neutral in their work and 29 percent said that local journalists should report for change in communities. Younger adults favoured advocacy by journalists.
Despite positive attitude towards local journalists and news platforms, Americans tend to engage less with local journalism in comparison to previous records. In place of 37 percent engagement during 2016, there is reduced measurement of 22 percent during 2024. Alongwith less citizens attention to national and international news, the local news also faced casualties in recent times. As less as 15 percent of consumers found to be ready to pay for local news. The respondents of the survey claimed that as they get enough local news free of cost, they are not interested to purchase subscriptions. The younger adults are against pay walls for local news. Social media serves as a better option for many to access local news which rose from 14 perent in 2018 to 52 percent during 2024.
Common people were unaware of financial challenges faced by local news platforms. The survey revealed majority of survey respondents, about 63 percent believed that news business is doing well. Politicians belonging to two major political parties Democrats and Republicans praised the role of local journalism in US.
Digital transformation of local news is evident from the beginning of twenty-first century. Firstly, digital media has turned out to be the principal mode of mass communication in the developed countries and the developing countries follows the trend. Secondly, traditionally the local news platforms carried reports on daily occurrences, classified advertisements, transport and entertainment listings which have gradually shifted to social media platforms.
Thirdly, in the changed scenario, local news became abundantly available in non-news platforms and the public engagement drifted away from the conventional sources. In absence readers, listeners and audience the subscription and advertisement revenue continued free fall which caused major disruption in the popular business model of local news industry.
Fourthly, poor economic status compelled the publishers and editors to defer investments for promotion in quality journalism, which further enhanced loss of subscription and advertisement revenue. Fifthly, while better local journalism enhance community participation in governance, weak local journalism is a threat to future of democracies. Though digital transformation of local journalism pronounce assurance of alternative ecosystem, absence of sustainable financial model for digital local media raise questions on its efficacy.
(English translation of the original Odia newsletter by the author circulated on May 17, 2024. https://pmjournalism.substack.com/p/43b It is an open-access content, free for translation and reproduction)
Dr. Pradeep Mahapatra is a retired faculty of Journalism, Berhampur University, Odisha.https://about.me/pradeepmahapatra
Reference:
Shearer, Elisa et al. American’s changing relationship with local news. Pew-Knight Initiative