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Local News Engagement Plummets Despite High Importance Ratings

4/16/2026

41 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Local-news engagement fell to 21% in 2025, down from 37% in 2016.
Television remains the preferred medium, but usage has declined while online forums rose, with 52% getting local news from platforms such as Facebook.
Although 80% say local news is important, only 34% rate it as extremely important.
The share paying for local news has fallen, as many cite free alternatives, threatening coverage of state and local government activities.

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Story summary

Local-news engagement fell to 21% in 2025, down from 37% in 2016.
Television remains the preferred medium, but usage has declined while online forums rose, with 52% getting local news from platforms such as Facebook.
Although 80% say local news is important, only 34% rate it as extremely important.
The share paying for local news has fallen, as many cite free alternatives, threatening coverage of state and local government activities.