Extra, extra: How to solve the local news crisis

A live panel discussion featuring:

• Sarabeth Berman, CEO of the American Journalism Project
• Margaret Sullivan, author of Ghosting the News: Local Journalism and the Crisis of American Democracy
• Steven Waldman, founder and president of Rebuild Local News
• Kimi Yoshino, editor of The Baltimore Banner
• Moderated by Tracie Potts, executive director of the Eisenhower Institute

According to a 2022 Gallup/Knight Foundation survey, 67% of Americans say they regularly get local news from established sources such as broadcast TV, radio, newspapers or magazines. But since 2005, more than 2,500 newspapers in the U.S. – a quarter of them – have shut down. Research shows that when a local paper closes, communities experience lower voter turnout, decreased civic engagement, less accountability and increased polarization. With quality sources of local news in decline, our democracy is at risk.

That’s why our theme for National News Literacy Week 2024 is spotlight on local news. We must find solutions to the local news crisis so communities are well-informed and civically engaged. To explore these issues and kick off National News Literacy Week, we are hosting a distinguished panel of journalists, innovators, media critics and educators. They will discuss pressing issues facing local news coverage, how additional funding can help, and other possible solutions. Watch live on YouTube!