While the national news landscape is often grim and many Americans say they have lost faith in the media, the situation is much more positive at the local level. Local news organizations, including newspapers, radio stations and television channels, play a vital role in informing communities, connecting people, promoting accountability and transparency, and providing essential information.

In addition to covering local government, politics and crime, these outlets report on school closures, traffic accidents and weather warnings. And they help local businesses thrive. This is important because if a community loses its local news, it not only misses out on the stories that are most important to people there, but it also can lack critical economic and social information.

Despite major financial challenges — including declining circulation and advertising revenue, the rise of online platforms, and increasing competition from national news outlets — most Americans continue to see value in local journalism. A majority says their local news sources do an excellent or good job keeping them informed, fostering community spirit, holding leaders accountable and providing essential information.

These positive attitudes toward local news are a stark contrast to how Americans view the media more broadly, with majorities of both parties saying the national press is doing a bad or very poor job. However, the views of Republicans and Republican leaning independents about their local media do not differ as wildly from those of Democrats and Democratic leaners.