最新蜜桃影像

By Alana Parker

Washington, D.C. is home to many journalists and professional communicators 鈥� but it hasn鈥檛 been immune to declines in local journalism. Across the country, there’s been a rise in 鈥渘ews deserts,鈥� which University of North Carolina鈥檚 Hussman School of Journalism and Media  鈥渁 community, either rural or urban, with limited access to the sort of credible and comprehensive news and information that feeds democracy at the grassroots level.鈥�

Nationally, over 2,100 local have closed since 2004, according to UNC鈥檚 data. In the District there鈥檚 been a 46% decrease in the number of newspapers between 2004 and 2019, along with a 53% decrease in newspaper circulation 鈥� meaning the city has lost nearly half of local papers and more than half of subscribers. Researchers at UNC warn that local newspapers have historically fostered a sense of community and grassroots democracies. Communities without them may no longer get information on political and social issues that impact residents鈥� lives. 

鈥淒.C. used to have so much local coverage,鈥� said Marla Brown, a local nanny and grandmother of eight. 鈥淚 used to love reading The Informer before I moved up to Baltimore to help with my grandkids. When I came back [to D.C.], it seemed like there was nothing left but the Washington Post, which isn鈥檛 even really local anymore.鈥�

最新蜜桃影像ington Informer has though faces the same challenges with circulation as other local papers. The Informer is one of a handful of papers that has produced news for specific and often underrepresented audiences 鈥� in this case D.C.鈥檚 Black community. 

The Georgetowner, another local paper that covers the Georgetown neighborhood and the DMV area, continues to cover Advisory Neighborhood Commission meetings and community events.

Other outlets haven鈥檛 been as lucky. The Northwest Current, along with all of the Current Newspapers, in 2019, a loss of one of the few papers left that covered hyper local news and politics.

鈥淚 try to come to every ANC meeting I can,鈥� said Katie Barnes in an interview. 鈥淚 feel like attending them is the only way I can figure out what is going on in my neighborhood anymore.鈥�

Barnes described how she used to read the Current and DCist, an online platform owned by NPR-affiliate station WAMU that , to catch up on what she missed at ANC meetings. Now, she devotes her time to going to the monthly meetings so she can make her voice heard and better understand the happenings in her community.

鈥淚鈥檝e lived in D.C. for ten years now, and it鈥檚 extremely disappointing that all of this local news has seemed to just stop,鈥� said Barnes. 鈥淣ot everyone can make the time to come to these meetings. I can鈥檛 even make time to come to these meetings sometimes. We deserve local and transparent news.鈥�

These challenges are not at all unique to D.C. According to a report, newsroom employment across the U.S. declined by 26% from 2008 to 2021 鈥� from 114,000 employees to 85,000. This decline further influences how local news and local journalists face challenges in telling important stories that communities care about, such as schools, zoning and small businesses.

As traditional forms of local journalism struggle, college newspapers have started stepping into the role of local journalists. Tyler Davis, managing news editor at The Eagle, American University鈥檚 student newspaper, described how their news team has expanded over the past two years.

鈥淲hen I first started, our coverage was strictly AU-focused,鈥� Davis said in an interview. 鈥淲e鈥檝e broadened our scope to cover stories that reflect the city we live in, not just our campus.鈥�

Student reporters鈥� work is about more than just filling the gaps left by closing organizations 鈥� it鈥檚 also about creating meaningful connections with the community.

鈥淲e try to report on topics that students should care about,鈥� Davis said. 鈥淭he Metro redesign affects the N6 and 33 bus routes that students use daily. By focusing on those specifics, we make city issues resonate on a personal level.鈥�

At George Washington University, The Hatchet has also begun to fill in gaps left by organizations like DCist and the Northwest Current. Rory Quealy, a metro news editor at The Hatchet, explained how the paper鈥檚 coverage of ANC meetings and the transformation of a former GW dorm into a homeless shelter has provided vital news to both GW students and the broader community in Foggy Bottom.

鈥淪ometimes, we鈥檙e the only ones covering these things,鈥� Quealy said in an interview. 鈥淚t really shows the importance of having more eyes on the work done in the city.鈥�

Quealy also noted that stories like the homeless shelter project are critical for accountability.

鈥淭he project has faced delays and lawsuits, and we鈥檝e been there documenting every step 鈥� whether it鈥檚 zoning board decisions or legal challenges from community members,鈥� she said. 鈥淭his kind of reporting ensures that the public knows what鈥檚 happening and why.鈥�

For Philadelphia-based freelance journalist Kate Ozypok, who has worked with outlets like The Georgetowner and Northern Virginia Magazine, the decline of local journalism has presented both challenges and opportunities.

鈥淔reelance opportunities can fill some of the gaps left by closures,鈥� she said. 鈥淥utlets may not have the budget to hire full-time staff, but they can afford to pay for individual stories. It鈥檚 not a sustainable fix, but it helps.鈥�

Ozypok鈥檚 freelance work often involves hyperlocal topics, from restaurant openings to community events. She emphasized the importance of maintaining a personal touch in journalism, especially as artificial intelligence begins to play a larger role.

鈥淎I can help with efficiency, but it can鈥檛 replicate the human connection that鈥檚 so important in local reporting,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e need people who care about these stories.鈥�

Despite the challenges, Ozypok remains optimistic.

鈥淟ocal journalism is about people 鈥� real stories, real connections,鈥� she said. 鈥淚f the next generation of journalists is passionate about it, there鈥檚 hope. But without that passion, we risk losing something irreplaceable.鈥�

The decline of local journalism is not just a professional crisis but also a civic one. Without consistent and comprehensive local reporting, communities lose accountability, connection and their voice. This affects not only the residents of the area but also local government, nonprofits and businesses, all of whom rely on media coverage to thrive.

As Davis said, 鈥淟ocal journalism isn鈥檛 dying; it鈥檚 evolving. It鈥檚 more important than ever to focus on your community. The person covering a new grocery store opening is your neighbor. Local journalism is about building connections and ensuring people have the information they need to engage with their communities.鈥�