Small Town, Small Screen: Where Local News Is Headed
Jan 06, 2016
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Small Town, Small Screen:Some Notes on Where Local News Is Headed
Jesse HolcombAssociate Director, Journalism ResearchPew Research Center@jesseholcomb
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October 17, 2015 2www.pewresearch.org
Increasingly, the local news experience is
Mediated on the social web
Shared on mobile devices
Unevenly distributed
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October 17, 2015 3www.pewresearch.org
Social Media: A Rear Window
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October 17, 2015 4www.pewresearch.org
More social media users are seeing news there
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October 17, 2015 5www.pewresearch.org
Community News Is Highly Visible on Facebook
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October 17, 2015 6www.pewresearch.org
Social media: A town square
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October 17, 2015 7www.pewresearch.org
Many Exchange, and Some Contribute to News
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October 17, 2015 8www.pewresearch.org
News Sharers More Likely to See Local Issues in Their Feed
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October 17, 2015 9www.pewresearch.org
Local News and Mobile Devices
[some kind of mobile phone image here]
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October 17, 2015 10www.pewresearch.org
Smartphones Are a Window Into Community Life
68% of smartphone owners use their phone at least occasionally to follow along with breaking news events
67% use their phone to share pictures, videos or commentary about events happening in their community
56% use their phone at least occasionally to learn about community events or activities
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October 17, 2015 11www.pewresearch.org
Especially Among Younger Smartphone Owners
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October 17, 2015 12www.pewresearch.org
The Anytown, USA Myth: Digital Revolution Is Uneven
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October 17, 2015 13www.pewresearch.org
Usage Varies by Population
15% of US adults dont use the internet, especially:
Low-income adults (25%)
Seniors (39%)
Residents of rural communities (24%)
Black adults (20%)
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October 17, 2015 14www.pewresearch.org
And From Community to Community
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October 17, 2015 15www.pewresearch.org
But There Are Always a Few Surprises
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October 17, 2015 16www.pewresearch.org
Gaps in Availability of Local News Providers
Denver Macon Sioux City
Total News Providers 143 24 31
Providers w/ Weekly Content 52 12 17
2 dozen digital outlets in Denver; just one or two in Sioux and none in Macon
Outbound linking: Much more frequent in Denver news sites than in Macon or Sioux City
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October 17, 2015 17www.pewresearch.org
Others Are Exploring Local News Gaps
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WHAT DOES IT ADD UP TO FOR DIGITAL PUBLISHERS?
October 17, 2015 www.pewproject.org 18
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October 17, 2015 19www.pewresearch.org
We Follow Whats Around the Corner
More Than Whats Over the Next Hill
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October 17, 2015 20www.pewresearch.org
The Core Local News Audience Is Also Highly Engaged
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October 17, 2015 21www.pewresearch.org
TV Still Dominates Local Market
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October 17, 2015 22www.pewresearch.org
Digital Groundswell Is a Supplemental News Source
Communities of interest, but no critical mass
In one week, niche/specialty outlets accounted for 35% of Denver news content
The 14 digital-native sites accounted for < 10%
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October 17, 2015 23www.pewresearch.org
As Industry Disruption Continues Apace,
Their Role May Become More Critical
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Small Town, Small Screen:Some Notes on Where Local News Is Headed
Jesse HolcombAssociate Director, Journalism ResearchPew Research Center@jesseholcomb
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October 17, 2015 25www.pewresearch.org
Especially Among Underserved Populations
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October 17, 2015 26www.pewresearch.org
Local Audiences Becoming More Digital, at Different Paces
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October 17, 2015 27www.pewresearch.org
Big Picture: Growth of Social As News Source
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October 17, 2015 28www.pewresearch.org
Digital Publishers Are Filling the Gap
Majority Nonprofit
Small Staff
Many Legacy Hires
Nearly 30% started since 2010
85% started since 2005
