In a study published back in January 2023, Harvard Kennedy School’s Bradlee Professor of Government and the Press, Thomas Patterson, found that local public radio stations can help fill voids in community news coverage resulting from the decline of the newspaper…can local television stations help fill the informational gap too?
To answer this question, Professor Patterson conducted a new study and determined that if local TV stations embrace an editorial strategy that includes governance- and community-centered reporting and hastens digital transformation, they can assume a substantial role in filling the informational gap as well.
325 of the 504 local TV stations around the country participated in the survey, which found that:
- 64 percent of TV respondents say their station has not made a change to accommodate the loss in community news coverage.
- Stations with a distinctive editorial focus are 20 percent more likely to be the top-ranked station than stations with an editorial focus close to that of their competitor.
- Local TV stations should recognize the power of their brand as a trusted local source and enhance their ability to provide timely, relevant local content.
- Local TV stations can compete with national outlets and non-news media by prioritizing the information needs of their communities.
- A promising avenue for support within stations’ control is partnering with other news organizations.
- Lack of funding is the key factor holding back local TV stations from becoming the leading news providers in their communities, and from expanding digital content.
- The strongest pillar of local news is the nation’s TV stations, not digital outlets or local public radio stations.
On Wednesday, June 18th Professor Patterson will review the findings and recommendations in his report. This webinar is co-sponsored by The Journalist’s Resource.
