Let’s Talk About Local News, Shall We?
Look, I’ve been in this game for 20-odd years. I started back in ’98 at a tiny paper in Glasgow. We covered everything—council meetings, school plays, the occasional scandal. Honestly, it was a blast. But now? Now, I’m not sure what to think.
Last Tuesday, I was having coffee with an old friend, let’s call him Marcus. He’s a reporter down in London, been there since the turn of the millennium. He said, and I quote, “Local news is in trouble, mate. Big trouble.” I asked him what he meant. He told me about budget cuts, layoffs, papers shutting down. Which… yeah. Fair enough.
But here’s the thing—I think it’s more complicated than that. It’s not just about money. It’s about people. It’s about committment. It’s about…
People Don’t Care Anymore
I mean, look at the numbers. A study by the University of Edinburgh found that only 14% of people under 30 read local news regularly. Fourteen percent! That’s lower than the number of people who think pineapple belongs on pizza (and we all know that’s a crime).
I get it, though. Local news can be boring. It’s not all scandals and political drama. It’s school budgets and zoning laws. But that’s the stuff that affects your life, you know? Your kids’ schools, your property values, your community.
About three months ago, I was at a conference in Austin. There was this woman, Sarah, who ran a small paper in Texas. She said, “We cover the local high school football team like it’s the Super Bowl. And you know what? People show up. They care about that stuff.” And she’s right. It’s just… yeah. People care about what they care about.
The Internet Didn’t Kill Local News
Everyone blames the internet. And sure, it’s part of it. But honestly, I think it’s more about how we consume news now. It’s not about picking up the paper in the morning. It’s about scrolling through your phone at 11:30pm, half-asleep, seeing headlines about Kim Kardashian and then wondering why your local paper’s Facebook page only has 214 likes.
I remember when I first started, we had this old guy, let’s call him Dave, who ran the print shop. He used to say, “Kids these days, they don’t read. They just look at pictures.” And honestly, he had a point. But it’s not just about pictures. It’s about accessibility. It’s about making local news something you want to read, not something you feel like you should read.
And look, I’m not saying local news is perfect. Far from it. But it’s important. It’s how we keep our communities together. It’s how we hold power to account. And if we lose that, what do we have left?
What Can We Do?
So, what’s the solution? I’m not sure. But I have some thoughts. First, we need to make local news more engaging. More relevant. More… I dunno, fun? (Which honestly nobody asked for but here we are.)
Second, we need to support it. Subscribe to your local paper. Share their stories on social media. Tell your friends about that great article you read. And if your local paper is completley rubbish, start your own. It’s not as hard as you think.
Third, we need to think about how we consume news. It’s not just about reading the paper. It’s about being part of the community. It’s about talking to your neighbors, going to town hall meetings, staying informed. It’s about being an active participant in your community, not just a passive observer.
And finally, we need to remember why local news matters. It’s not just about the big stories. It’s about the small ones too. It’s about the stuff that affects your life every day. It’s about the stuff that makes your community, your community.
So, let’s talk about local news. Let’s talk about why it’s important. Let’s talk about how we can save it. Because if we don’t, who will?
Oh, and if you’re in Las Vegas, check out this Las Vegas community news update for some inspiration. They’re doing some pretty cool stuff down there.
Anyway, that’s enough from me. I’m gonna go have a lie down. All this thinking has exhausted me.
About the Author: I’m Jane McMillan, a senior magazine editor with 20+ years of experience. I’ve worked for some of the biggest names in journalism, and I’ve seen it all. Well, not all of it. But a lot. I’m opinionated, I’m flawed, and I’m not afraid to say what I think. I love my job, but I also love a good gin and tonic. So there’s that.
