Newspapers have long been one of the main sources of trustworthy information for Americans, but as the media landscape has evolved in recent years, newspapers have suffered a dramatic loss in readership.
From the early 1960s to the early 1990s, the total U.S. daily newspaper circulation hovered around 60 million. By 2022, circulation dropped to about 20 million.
According to a report from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, more than 3,000 print newspapers have closed since 2005. Over 100 ceased print just last year, and news deserts - "areas that lack consistent local reporting that fills critical information needs" - are only continuing to grow.
It’s not all bad news, though. The report shows a net increase of more than 80 digital outlets over the last year, with nonprofit outlets emerging as a popular model for media companies. More than $1.23 billion in grants have gone to journalism organizations over the past six years, according to the Medill report.
We speak with four authorities about the state of local news in North Carolina and nationwide, how traditional media outlets are working to meet the needs of new audiences, and how new local news startups are filling in the gaps once covered by traditional newspapers.
GUESTS:
Glenn Burkins, founder and publisher of QCity Metro
Lizzy Hazeltine, director of the North Carolina Local News Lab Fund
Tim Franklin, senior associate dean, professor and John M. Mutz Chair in Local News at Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism and director of the Medill Local News Initiative
Kyle Villemain, founder and editor-in-chief of The Assembly
