April Lindgren, a former journalist and current professor, discusses the state of local journalism in Canada and the challenges it faces. She shares insights from her research on the decline of local news outlets and the emergence of new models. Lindgren emphasizes the importance of local journalism in building communities, holding power accountable, and combating misinformation. She explores the role of digital mapping in understanding the landscape of local media and highlights the need for multiple revenue streams to sustain local news organizations. Lindgren also discusses the potential role of philanthropy in supporting local journalism and the importance of collaboration among newsrooms.

Takeaways

Local journalism plays a crucial role in building communities, holding power accountable, and combating misinformation.

The decline of local news outlets in Canada has led to a lack of verified, timely, and independent local journalism.

Digital mapping can provide insights into the state of local media and track the opening and closing of news outlets.

Sustaining local news organizations requires multiple revenue streams, including advertising, membership models, philanthropic support, and events.

Collaboration among newsrooms can lead to more impactful journalism and a diversity of voices in local communities.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:14 The Decline of Local News Outlets

05:51 Understanding the Local Media Landscape

09:01 Sustaining Local News Organizations

14:05 The Role of Philanthropy in Supporting Local Journalism

28:59 The Future of Journalism

32:55 Conclusion