Disturbing Decline: Over 2,900 US Newspapers Expected to Shut Down in 20 Years
A recent report warns of a disturbing trend in the decline of newspapers in the United States. According to the report, nearly 3,000 newspapers could shut down within the next two decades if the current pace continues. This alarming prediction comes as the country already grapples with the loss of 43,000 newspaper journalist jobs, primarily due to the collapse of the advertising market.
While digital outlets have tried to fill the void left by newspaper closures, the report reveals that they are closing down just as quickly as new ones are emerging. Despite discussions about public financing and increased philanthropic contributions to the industry, the trajectory of this decline remains unchanged.
Unfortunately, financial concerns exist across various media outlets. The Washington Post recently announced the need to cut 240 jobs through voluntary buyouts, while the website Jezebel announced its closure. Even reputable organizations like NPR and the Associated Press have faced layoffs and have started soliciting donations from readers.
The problem of declining local news is not limited to certain areas but has affected every corner of the country. The report highlights that there are currently 204 counties in the United States without any local news outlet, and 1,562 counties have only one, often a weekly newspaper. Shockingly, this means that over half of the nation’s counties lack adequate local news coverage. In fact, the report identified 228 counties with only one news source as being endangered.
Texas, the second most populous state in the country, provides a clear example of this decline. Despite a 50% population growth since 2005, Texas has lost 65% of its newspaper journalists, according to the report.
Tim Franklin, who heads the local news initiative at Northwestern’s Medill journalism school, believes the issue lies not in a lack of demand for local news but in a lack of supply. Franklin envisions multiple solutions to address these problems, considering the growing importance of local news readership, especially during times of crisis like the ongoing pandemic.
Sadly, the decline in local news has led to a decline in readership as well. Job cuts at daily newspapers have resulted in what are referred to as ghost newspapers – shadows of their former selves, noticeable to readers. This decline in quality is reflected in circulation numbers. The Alliance of Audited Media reported that paid print and digital circulation at the 504 newspapers audited this year was just 10.2 million, in contrast to over 50 million in 2005 for print circulation alone.
Rural and low-income areas are disproportionately impacted by this decline, further exacerbating inequalities in access to reliable news sources. Although new digital news sites have emerged in major cities like New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Boston, they often cater to more affluent communities with stronger broadband access.
The consequences of dwindling local news are significant. Studies have shown that its decline contributes to increased political polarization, political corruption, and the spread of misinformation. Penny Abernathy, the report’s co-author and a Medill visiting professor, emphasizes the need to recognize this crisis as a threat to democracy.
Although there are pockets of success, such as The Post and Courier in Charleston, South Carolina – which has expanded its reporting team – and The Recorder, a newspaper in Virginia that survived through reader donations, the overall outlook remains somber.
The report suggests exploring public broadcasting as a potential avenue for reviving local news, despite acknowledging that NPR and PBS also face funding challenges.
As the United States faces the disturbing decline of newspapers, it becomes essential to find sustainable solutions. Without reliable local news, communities may experience significant information gaps and suffer the consequences of disengagement and misinformation.
As this crisis unfolds, the world awaits innovative initiatives and collective efforts to safeguard the invaluable role of local news in society.
