The ability to get accurate and reliable information is central to the smooth functioning of any society, but new research from the University of London reveals that some areas have much worse access to the news than others.
The research explores the so-called collapse of local news and the resultant creation of “news deserts” across the UK. The research shows that years of economic instability and acquisitions have hollowed out newsrooms and weakened both social cohesion and local accountability. What’s more, the researchers also believe that access to justice and democratic participation have also suffered.
The report’s six main findings are:
- Social media are now the dominant channels of local news and information
- Social media can cause local division and be a source of misinformation
- Local newspapers are no longer perceived as “community glue”
- There is a lack of knowledge of local affairs that is linked to a dearth of local reporting
- There is evidence of democratic disenchantment and apathy
- People want a trusted source of local news
News deserts
The authors believe that news deserts have emerged in part because mainstream outlets seldom base themselves in the areas they covered. For instance, the Whitby Gazette was traditionally based in the seaside town, but they have since closed its office there.
“Whitby was a really classic example of a newspaper that was very widely read within the town and was part of its identity, the researchers explain. “People identified with the Gazette—they said they knew the editor of the Gazette and drank with him in the pub.”
Many of those interviewed for the research were all too aware of the demise of local news and were generally saddened by the decline in what many regarded as a vital local resource.
“What we found in our research is people wanted a trusted source of local news and information that’s both professional and authentically local,” the authors conclude.
“People don’t necessarily want their local news to be big stories—they want scrutiny of local government but they also want stories about the local fete and the primary school reopened and make them feel happy about the place where they live.”
