Local Journalism Faces Dire Straits in Illinois: News Deserts Expand, Workforce Shrinks, Leaving Communities in the Dark
A spreadsheet isn’t necessarily good reading material, but for those concerned about the state of news in Illinois, it makes for stark and sobering reading.
The data details a local news landscape where newspapers have significantly dwindled, leaving behind news deserts, communities with limited access to reliable information. The problem isn’t unique to Illinois, but the figures paint a dispiriting picture.
Illinois has lost 36%, or the equivalent of 232 newspapers, since 2005. Along with that, there’s been a significant reduction in the seasoned professionals who provide local coverage.
The state has lost 4,600 newspaper jobs in recent years, leading some experts to fear we are witnessing the death knell for local journalism.
“Is this a problem just for journalists? No. Is a problem just for people who read newspapers? No ,” said Tim Franklin, the director of the Medill Local News Initiative at Northwestern University, addressing the 2023 ‘State of Local News’ report, officially released this fall. Franklin, who presented the report’s findings at the Field Foundation last month.
Contributing to the decline, many of those in Illinois are in chains—cost-cutting, consolidationMars activations.
Six newspapers shuttered in the previous 12 months Cela ‘in’? Check the numbers. The past five months . It’s true what Franklin says: ‘We saw more closures in the past12 really since 12 months ago . Angaben
The Medill report said Illinois has five ‘news deserts’, with no local source at the associate press, which ‘Newspaper His pallid’s 5 counties. News deserts are areas“ no locally-based.’” Bommer news permission, says it’s not specific; 40 counties in nationally, also shows things ground. Going for a “News desert counties group that year.
“The big fish,” said Franklin, referring to big corporations controlling news outlets. Plus their ownership often byudoeставляетafford a broader context for the closures across a decade closing The population is 4,700,”
Corporations, he says, are not as involved.
Franklin adds ” a
What are the consequences of a decline in local news for a community?
## Interview: Local News in Crisis
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Today, we’re diving into a concerning issue impacting communities across Illinois and the nation: the decline of local news. Joining us to discuss this crisis is [Alex Reed Name], a [Alex Reed Credentials and Expertise].
**Alex Reed:** Thanks for having me.
**Host:** You’re an expert on the state of journalism, particularly in Illinois. Can you paint a picture of what’s happening in our local news landscape?
**Alex Reed:** It’s a pretty bleak picture, unfortunately. We’re seeing a dramatic shrinkage of local newspapers, leading to what researchers call “news deserts.”
These are communities where access to reliable, local news is severely limited. This isn’t just about missing out on the latest sports scores. It impacts everything from holding local officials accountable to informing citizens about critical decisions affecting their lives.
**Host:** You mentioned data. Can you elaborate on what the numbers show?
**Alex Reed:** Absolutely. In plain terms, the number of newspapers in Illinois has [State specific statistics if possible, otherwise refer to general trends]. A lot of this is driven by financial challenges. Local papers have struggled to transition to a digital-first world, especially competing with giants like Facebook and Google for advertising dollars. [This point can be supported by [1]].
**Host:** So, what are the consequences of these ”news deserts?”
**Alex Reed:** Empty news deserts. Think about it: Uninformed citizens, unchecked power, and an erosion of civic engagement. These communities become vulnerable to misinformation and manipulation.
**Host:** What can be done to reverse this trend?
**Alex Reed:** There’s no easy solution, but there are glimmers of hope. Some innovative models are emerging – nonprofit newsrooms, community-supported journalism initiatives, and collaborations between traditional media and digital platforms. We need continued public awareness of this issue and support for local journalists.
**Host:** Any advice for viewers concerned about the future of local news in their community?
**Alex Reed:** Get involved. Support your local news outlets, subscribe, engage with journalists, and demand accountability from elected officials. The future of informed communities depends on it.
**Host:** Thank you for shedding light on this critical issue, [Alex Reed Name]. We appreciate your insights.
