News Deserts
Small communities across the nation are most likely to be news deserts, with 1 or no local newspaper, meaning a critical vehicle for trusted information is absent.
Counties with no or only one newspaper (“news deserts”)
News deserts as of 2020
Source: UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media, inspired by Brookings research.
With rapidly-changing Covid information and guidance, ranging from safe return to in-person school protocols, to community testing, local news sources are an essential platform for both transparency and community input. However, half of counties nationwide are what experts describe as “local news deserts” that have either no newspaper or only one (often a weekly or a thinly staffed daily).1 The steady decline of local newsrooms since 2004 has accelerated since the beginning of the pandemic, with over 100 local newsrooms closing entirely since the start of 2020.2
There is a growing concern among journalism editors around affordability and access, as local metro papers publish articles behind paywalls and have been reported to charge readers up to $800 a year for subscriptions.3 This has the potential to further exacerbate disparities if vital information only goes to those who can afford it.
Amidst the bleak trends, however, there are some bright spots. Poynter research has identified more than 70 new local newsrooms that have launched since 2020, many supported by philanthropic dollars.4 Most notable is a rise in local news publications by and for Black, Latino, LGBTQIA+, and other historically underserved communities.5 The Buckeye Flame is one such news source based in Ohio and focused on uplifting LGBTQIA+ voices across the state.6 Revitalized and accessible local news sources are essential for regaining public trust and increasing public participation.
“News Deserts And Ghost Newspapers: Will Local News Survive?” UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media. 2020. https://www.usnewsdeserts.com/reports/news-deserts-and-ghost-newspapers-will-local-news-survive/
“More than 100 local newsrooms closed during the coronavirus pandemic”. Hare. Poynter. December, 2021. https://www.poynter.org/locally/2021/the-coronavirus-has-closed-more-than-100-local-newsrooms-across-america-and-counting/
“Editors agree: Journalism is increasingly super-serving richer and more educated audiences and leaving others behind”. Edmonds. Poynter. January, 2022. https://www.poynter.org/commentary/2022/editors-agree-journalism-is-increasingly-super-serving-richer-and-more-educated-audiences-and-leaving-others-behind/
“More than 70 local newsrooms launched during the pandemic”. Hare. Poynter. December, 2021. https://www.poynter.org/reporting-editing/2021/more-than-50-local-newsrooms-launched-during-the-pandemic/
“ETHNIC MEDIA OUTLETS SPROUT UP IN U.S. ‘NEWS DESERTS’". O’Reilly, Fischer. Axios. November, 2021. https://www.axios.com/black-latino-asian-indigenous-news-deserts-cb09cd22-e78f-42fc-909f-5983b8cf3b45.html?deepdive=1
“Our Mission”. The Buckeye Flame. https://thebuckeyeflame.com/our-mission/