The Erosion of Proximity: Issues and Challenges for Local Journalism in Contemporary Society

The decline of local journalism, which has lost resources and influence, is reflected in phenomena such as “news deserts” that are increasingly prevalent worldwide. A recent study suggests that over half of the municipalities lack local news coverage in Portugal. This article proposes an analysis an...

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محفوظ في:
التفاصيل البيبلوغرافية
الحاوية / القاعدة:URI:https://journals.openedition.org/cs,
المؤلف الرئيسي: Mota, Dora
التنسيق: Article ou chapitre numérique
اللغة:Anglais
منشور في: Comunicação e sociedade 2024
الموضوعات:
الوصول للمادة أونلاين:Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM
الوصف
الملخص:The decline of local journalism, which has lost resources and influence, is reflected in phenomena such as “news deserts” that are increasingly prevalent worldwide. A recent study suggests that over half of the municipalities lack local news coverage in Portugal. This article proposes an analysis and reflection on the issues and challenges currently affecting local journalism, drawing on a review of recent literature. It is presented as the weakest link in the global media crisis, grappling with traditional business bankruptcies and platform competition. However, it is also uniquely adaptable to endure in an adverse context. The closure of local media, the struggle for survival among the remaining outlets, and the reluctance of journalists to involve audiences in defining news contribute to the erosion of proximity, albeit with some positive signs. Among these signs is a widespread acknowledgement of the significance of local journalism and a growing academic interest in this domain.