Why the newspaper decline hurts local communities

Newspapers have been on the decline for years. Dailies that consistently printed 7 days per week have been reduced to 5, 4, or even 3 publishing days per week. Some reports say the United States is on track to lose 1/3 of its newspapers by the year 2025.

As far back as 2011, in reference to losing reporters and newspapers, the FCC predicted "more government waste, more local corruption, less effective schools, and other serious community problems."

The pandemic didn't help. Pew Research Center reported a 30% drop in ad revenue from 2019 to 2020. The temporary loss of retail stores sent revenue plummeting (as it did everywhere.) This compounded the typical 6% yearly decline.

If a community fully loses its newspaper, additional losses follow. Democracy depends on accountability and public knowledge. Without reliable reporting starting at a local level, corruption can more easily take place as interest and participation from community members fade.

Mistrust toward mainstream media outlets is high. Community journalists can ask hard questions and counteract general mistrust by refocusing on local issues that matter in daily life, holding people accountable, and building community pride.

Without eyes and ears in the county courthouse, city council, or school board rooms, there is no watchdog. We lose the system of checks and balances so crucial to local residents, local money, and local policy.

While earth-shattering stories may not come up every day, they are out there. Losing traditional investigative journalism means missing deep stories that matter. Think of the 2003 Boston Globe team that uncovered the sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic church.

In addition, losing a community newspaper means missing out on local opinions, photos, school activities, obituaries, births, fundraisers, and events. The things that make a community - a community.

If newspapers are to grow or reemerge again, it will take many interested parties - readers, advertisers, community members, and publishers who believe in the power of the (small, local) press.

The internet and media giants are here to stay. That may be the ideal reason to shift focus and support onto local newsrooms whose purpose is to cover real issues solely for the sake of their communities.