Local journalism faces a crisis, with only 8.2 journalists per 100,000 people, down from approximately 40 in 2002. Given the changes in journalism productivity and technology, a goal to return to the 2002 numbers might be simplistic. Moreover, economic disparities have historically impacted local news coverage. In the current era dominated by misinformation and AI, a higher density of journalists is necessary. A suggested standard ratio is one journalist for each local government unit, almost quadrupling current numbers to ensure adequate coverage.
Local journalism is in crisis, with just 8.2 journalists per 100,000 people - a staggering drop from about 40 in 2002. This sharp decline highlights an alarming trend in community coverage and information accessibility.
Even in the golden age of local journalism, many communities were poorly covered, particularly those that were less affluent. Economic factors greatly influenced media presence and quality, suggesting that mere numbers aren't sufficient for good journalism.
The emergence of misinformation and the rise of artificial intelligence further complicate the landscape, indicating a need for a greater density of journalists to navigate and sort fact from fiction.
A one-to-one ratio of local journalists to government units, which would mean almost quadrupling current numbers, is suggested as a necessary standard, emphasizing the importance of robust local news coverage.
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