News Hole The Demise of Local Journalism and Political Engagement Communication, Society and Politics Series

In recent decades, turnout in US presidential elections has soared, education levels have hit historic highs, and the internet has made information more accessible than ever. Yet over that same period, Americans have grown less engaged with local politics and elections. Drawing on detailed analysis of fifteen years of reporting in over 200 local newspapers, along with election returns, surveys, and interviews with journalists, this study shows that the demise of local journalism has played a key role in the decline of civic engagement. As struggling newspapers have slashed staff, they have dramatically cut their coverage of mayors, city halls, school boards, county commissions, and virtually every aspect of local government. In turn, fewer Americans now know who their local elected officials are, and turnout in local elections has plummeted. To reverse this trend and preserve democratic accountability in our communities, the local news industry must be reinvigorated ? and soon.

1. The Local Political Engagement Puzzle; 2. The Great Gutting of US Newspapers; 3. Where Local News Has Suffered Most; 4. As Local News Goes, So Goes Political Engagement; 5. Everyone Loses When Local News Declines; 6. Saving Local News; 7. Local News and American Democracy.

Danny Hayes is Professor in the Department of Political Science, George Washington University.
Jennifer L. Lawless is the Leone Reeves and George W. Spicer Professor in the Department of Politics, University of Virginia.