Audiences are declining for traditional news media in the U.S. – with some exceptions
A declining share of U.S. adults are following the news closely, and audiences are shrinking for several older types of news media.
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
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How Black Americans engage with local news
About three-quarters of Black adults in the United States say they see or hear news coverage about their local community at least sometimes.
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Local TV News Fact Sheet
Local TV companies generated more revenue in 2022 than in 2021, consistent with a cyclical pattern in which advertising revenue rises in election years and falls in non-election years.
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Local Newspapers Fact Sheet
Local newspapers have been hit particularly hard by the transition to digital news consumption in recent years, with many forced to shutter their doors permanently.
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In some states, students account for a large and growing share of statehouse reporters
In Missouri, 51% of all reporters covering the state capitol this year – 26 of 51 – are students.
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Nonprofit news outlets are playing a growing role in statehouse coverage
Nonprofit news reporters now account for 20% of the nation’s total statehouse press corps, up from 6% eight years ago.
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Total Number of U.S. Statehouse Reporters Rises, but Fewer Are on the Beat Full Time
The total number of journalists assigned to state capitol buildings is up 11% since 2014, though figures vary widely by state. And as newspapers employ fewer statehouse reporters, nonprofits are filling much of the void.
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The number of full-time statehouse reporters at U.S. newspapers has declined 34% since 2014
There are 245 newspaper reporters who cover the statehouse full time in 2022 in the United States, down from 374 in 2014.
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Partisan divides in media trust widen, driven by a decline among Republicans
In just five years, the percentage of Republicans with at least some trust in national news organizations has been cut in half.
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Local news is playing an important role for Americans during COVID-19 outbreak
Some 61% of U.S. adults say they follow COVID-19 news at both the national and local level equally, and 23% say they pay more attention to local news.
