Local/Digital:Challenges and opportunities

Jesse HolcombSenior researcher, Pew Research Center@jesseholcomb

April 15, 2023 2www.pewresearch.org

Local News in a Digital Age (March 2015)

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High interest in local news

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Especially among underserved populations

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Local audiences becoming more digital, at different paces

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Least connected city is also most social for news

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TV still dominates local market

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Digital groundswell is a supplemental news source

• Communities of interest, but no critical mass

• In one week, niche/specialty outlets accounted for 35% of Denver news content

• The 14 digital-native sites accounted for < 10%

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Some markets haven’t sustained digital publishers

Denver Macon Sioux City

Total News Providers 143 24 31Providers w/ Weekly Content 52 12 17

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Big picture: Growth of social as news source

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And mobile…

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But communities transition at different paces

• Case studies found different levels of digital engagement w/local news

• Factors: socio-economics, broadband/device access, news culture (i.e. outbound linking)

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Digital publishers are filling the gap

• Majority Nonprofit

• Small Staff

• Many Legacy Hires

• Nearly 30% started since 2010

• 85% started since 2005

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Their role may become more critical

Local/Digital:Challenges and opportunities

Jesse HolcombSenior researcher, Pew Research Center@jesseholcomb