No more newspapers: The crisis of local journalism

"For Northwestern University's 2025 news report, they estimated that almost 40% of all local U.S. newspapers have vanished, leaving 50 million Americans with limited or no access to a reliable source of local news. The local newspapers that haven't closed their doors have immensely reduced their operations, cutting the amount of reporters in the newsroom from hundreds to just dozens and working out of rented office spaces instead of downtown buildings."

"For many news outlets, local and national, print circulation is on the decline, and digital traffic has become hampered by generative A.I. and social media platforms. Just a couple of weeks ago, The Washington Post laid off over 300 employees after losing profits for too long. This is just a recent example of the countless news outlets that have conducted mass layoffs, merged with other companies, or shut down altogether."

Traditional newspapers face severe decline as news consumption shifts to social media platforms and digital channels. Major outlets like The Washington Post have conducted mass layoffs affecting hundreds of employees, while local newspapers have been hit harder. Northwestern University's 2024 report projects that by end of 2025, the U.S. will have lost one-third of its print newspapers over two decades. Nearly 40% of local newspapers have already closed, leaving 50 million Americans without reliable local news access. Surviving local papers have drastically reduced operations, cutting reporter numbers from hundreds to dozens and relocating from downtown offices to rented spaces. Generative AI and social media platforms further hamper digital traffic for news organizations.

Read at Her Campus