Millions of Americans Affected by Declining Local News Coverage

Editor & Publisher has released two studies indicating that U.S. states experiencing a decline in local newspapers are seeing a significant drop in transparency and an increase in the secrecy of public records, making access to information more difficult.

David Cuillier, director of the Brechner Center at the University of Florida, states that states with fewer press outlets show less commitment to freedom of information laws, suggesting that the absence of newspapers allows governments to evade oversight and accountability. He notes that journalism helps reduce wasteful spending and encourages political engagement.

Cuillier highlighted examples of declining transparency, including restrictions on journalists covering public events, the use of defamation lawsuits to pressure media, and the imposition of limits on records and data access. He also warned of "unprecedented" changes undermining press freedom, such as the closure of White House visitor logs, the deletion of government data, cuts to freedom of information staff, and the concealment of search warrants after execution.

Another study revealed that a survey of 330 public records requesters found that local and state governments frequently respond to journalists with delays and denials, using high copying fees and privacy exemptions to withhold documents.

According to a report from Northwestern University, 136 newspapers ceased operations last year, bringing the total number of closures over the past two decades to 3,500 and resulting in the loss of 270,000 journalism jobs. The findings indicate that 50 million Americans live in "news deserts" lacking reliable news sources, with 213 counties having no media and 1,524 counties with only one outlet.

The reports warn that the decline of local journalism paves the way for less transparent governments and less engaged citizens, threatening the foundations of American democracy.