Erosion of Local News Undermines Community Connections and Civic Awareness in Small-Town Canada, New Report Finds
A comprehensive new report from the Public Policy Forum think-tank reveals a distressing trend in small towns across Canada: the decline of local news outlets is weakening community bonds and hindering residents’ understanding of vital local institutions such as government, schools, and hospitals. The report, titled “The Lost Estate: How to put the local back in local news,” paints a stark picture of the challenges facing small-town journalism and directly links its decline to growing feelings of alienation and distrust within these communities. Based on an Ipsos poll of over 1,000 Canadians living in communities with populations under 100,000, the study highlights the perceived consequences of this news deficit. An overwhelming 87% of respondents emphasized the importance of local news for a healthy democracy, while 61% agreed that diminished local news coverage leads to a reduced understanding of local governance, education, and healthcare. Furthermore, 58% of respondents connected the decline of local news to a weakening of community ties.
The report identifies several key factors contributing to the erosion of local news. Declining advertising revenues, corporate ownership models that prioritize profits over local coverage, and the overwhelming dominance of online platforms have all taken a toll, particularly on smaller news outlets operating in less populated areas. According to a research project at Toronto Metropolitan University, 252 local news outlets have disappeared since 2008, with 24 closures occurring in the last two years alone. This decline underscores the precarious state of local journalism and the urgent need for intervention to preserve this crucial pillar of democratic society. The dwindling resources available to local news organizations have left many communities with limited access to vital information about local affairs, creating an information vacuum that can be exploited by misinformation and partisan narratives.
However, the report doesn’t just focus on the negative aspects of the current situation. It also acknowledges the emergence of a "flourishing new ecosystem" of digital startups that are attempting to fill the void left by traditional local news outlets. One example highlighted in the report is Village Media, which began in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, with the mission "to save local news." Over two decades, Village Media has expanded to encompass more than two dozen digital properties throughout the province. These innovative digital platforms offer a glimmer of hope, demonstrating that local news can thrive in the digital age with the right support and resources. The challenge now is to find sustainable funding models that can support these digital initiatives and ensure the long-term viability of local journalism across the country.
The report proposes a multi-pronged approach to revitalizing local news and ensuring its long-term sustainability. One key recommendation is the implementation of tax incentives to encourage local businesses to invest in advertising within local media, thus providing a much-needed revenue stream for struggling news organizations. Furthermore, the report advocates for increased philanthropic support from local foundations and individual donors to augment public funding for local journalism. Specifically, the report suggests establishing a non-profit organization to fund three-year reporting positions in local newsrooms and expanding the Local Journalism Initiative, currently supported by federal funds, through philanthropic donations and oversight by an independent board. This diversified funding model would ensure the financial stability of local news outlets and reduce their reliance on volatile advertising revenue.
Another key recommendation is to redirect a portion of government advertising dollars towards local media. This would not only provide a direct financial boost but also acknowledge the vital role that local news plays in disseminating important information to the public. Furthermore, the report urges community and private foundations to support local news organizations, highlighting the alignment of this support with their missions to promote community health and strengthen local democracy. By investing in local journalism, these foundations can contribute to a more informed and engaged citizenry, thereby fostering a stronger sense of community and civic participation. The report emphasizes that the decline of local news often leads to a greater reliance on national news, which can be “more divisive,” and social media, where misinformation thrives.
The report also calls for reader support. The authors argue that readers must recognize the value of local journalism and actively participate in sustaining it, both by consuming local news and by contributing financially through subscriptions or donations. This shared responsibility is essential for ensuring the survival and prosperity of local news organizations, which play a critical role in informing communities and holding power accountable. Andrew Phillips, a co-author of the report and a veteran journalist, notes that the decline of local news has contributed to increased cynicism towards news in general. He believes that more local news can serve as an “antidote” to this cynicism by providing reliable, relevant information that resonates with communities and fosters trust. Phillips emphasizes the urgency of addressing the crisis facing local journalism, stating, "People have to step in and do this, and obviously readers have to play their part by consuming it and in one way or another, paying for it." The report’s findings and recommendations offer a roadmap for revitalizing local news and strengthening the fabric of communities across Canada.