local/digital: challenges and opportunities
TRANSCRIPT
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)
April 15, 2023 3www.pewresearch.org
High interest in local news
April 15, 2023 4www.pewresearch.org
Especially among underserved populations
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Local audiences becoming more digital, at different paces
April 15, 2023 6www.pewresearch.org
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)
April 15, 2023 13www.pewresearch.org
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