Misconceptions About Local News Financial Health, Pew Survey Reveals

A recent Pew Research Center survey reveals that 63% of over 5,000 adults believe local news providers are financially healthy, a slight decrease from 71% in 2018. This perception contrasts with the declining financial health of legacy newspapers and alternative local press.

Elisa Shearer, senior researcher on the report, suggests this misconception may be due to the 45% of adults who don’t pay much attention to local news. However, those who follow the news more closely, such as college graduates, are more aware of local news’s financial challenges.

Television remains the primary local news source for 32% of respondents, while digital sources, including websites and social media, account for 48%. The majority (71%) believe local media reports accurately, a sentiment shared by both Republicans (66%) and Democrats (78%).

Despite valuing local accountability and investigative journalism, only 15% of respondents are willing to pay for local news. This reluctance to pay is partly due to the perception that local news broadcasts are free despite being indirectly funded through cable subscriptions.

While Pew doesn’t offer recommendations, Shearer suggests that newsrooms transition quickly to digital platforms. She also notes that younger readers are receptive to news paired with advocacy, providing an opportunity for opinionated publications.