Public media’s response to the crisis in local news
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Mission driven & community supported
Local public media outlets are independent organizations supported by the communities they serve. They provide rich journalism that improves civic life, a forum for civil discussion and a place to learn about local arts and culture. This vital content is provided as a free public service.
Public media doesn’t just cover the news, we bring people and communities together. We report on events from the perspectives of people living through them and elevate voices that would otherwise go unheard. As a result, public media is consistently ranked among America’s most trusted news outlets—a critical distinction at a time when public trust in the media remains near historic lows.
A growing force for local journalism
Recognizing that a well-informed public is crucial for the health of our democracy and communities, the crisis in local journalism has had a catalytic effect on public media. While our broadcast signals continue to cover nearly 99 percent of the nation’s population, in many places, local public media organizations have become hubs of journalistic innovation. These outlets are breaking news and providing a growing array of digital journalism products including apps, digital news sites, email newsletters, social media content and podcasts.
Stronger community newsrooms
A persistent challenge slowing public media’s growth is resources. Today, many local outlets struggle to cover annual operating expenses while investing in new media and audience development. This is especially true at local outlets serving rural and under-resourced communities, where local news is most needed. With focused investment public media can support vibrant ecosystems of journalists and newsrooms collaborating to serve the public good.
Evolving a strong financial model
For vibrant local media ecosystems to flourish, they must be sustainable. Public media’s unique and flexible business model positions us to serve as a foundation for emerging civic media networks that will include less-established providers. Community support is public media’s largest and most reliable funding source. This model ensures our independence and ties us closely to the needs of the people we serve. Additionally, as more local public media organizations invest in sophisticated development teams, major and planned giving are poised to grow.
“Our area has seen a drastic reduction in local news providers over the last few years. We are discovering a new audience for local news, but are feeling the strain of trying to cover a large geographic area with a news staff of two. We are quickly becoming the only unbiased source of local news in this area.”
— Jessie Dick, General Manager & President, WXPR, Rhinelander, Wisconsin
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Photos in order
>> Boise State Public Radio: Ashley Ahearn interviews Idaho rancher, Melanie Elzinga, on horseback in the Alderspring Ranch's summer pasture. Elzinga and her family were featured in Episode 4 of Women's Work, Ahearn's 8-part podcast series, which featured women ranchers across the West who are adopting more sustainable, holistic land and livestock management practices (Credit: Louise Johns)
>> KOSU: Osage News editor Shannon Shaw Duty talks with KOSU Indigenous Affairs reporter Allison Herrera and StateImpact Oklahoma health reporter Catherine Sweeney during a discussion on Indigenous women's health and reproductive rights at Big Rain Gallery in Pawhuska, Oklahoma (Credit: Rachel Hubbard)
>> CapRadio: Reporter Nicole Nixon joins KCRA 3 to host a live debate in Sacramento, California with several leading candidates for US House District 3 (Credit: Andrew Nixon)
>> WGLT: Terrance Jones, a weekend student host on WGLT and its music service Highway 309, records in the WGLT studios in Normal, Illinois (Credit: Emily Bollinger)