Source: Next City

Date Published: 09.17.2025

Link: Local News Is on the Brink. Here’s How Cities Can Help.

With the decline of traditional news outlets, communities face growing “news deserts” that weaken civic life. Recognizing local news as a public good, some cities are experimenting with infrastructure and funding models similar to arts and cultural grants: directing government advertising to community outlets (New York, Chicago, San Francisco), proposing news voucher systems (Seattle, Washington, D.C.), and establishing information districts funded by local taxes. San Francisco and New Jersey provide models of public grantmaking and consortia that channel public money into sustaining diverse, community-driven media, with similar initiatives emerging in Oregon, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and California. These approaches echo how cities have historically pioneered urban innovations in housing, culture, and public health. By investing in media ecosystems, cities can cultivate more informed, connected, and civically engaged communities, reinforcing urban culture and democratic vitality as part of broader development strategies.