Breaking news: local journalism is alive

Local journalism is alive, still plays an important role in our lives and definitely has a future. In fact, local journalism can play a more crucial role than ever in creating our sense of community. But for that to happen, journalists will have to work differently than they do now. Professor by special appointment Yael de Haan, affiliated with the Faculty of Arts, gives five “ingredients” for modern, future-proof local journalism.

At first glance, things don't seem to be going well for local journalism. Editorial offices have been shrinking for years and local newspapers feel like they mainly offer a lot of advertisements. Shrinking budgets also play a role at local public broadcasters. Yet this story starts on a remarkably positive note. 'Everyone thinks local journalism is important', says Yael de Haan. 'And we also know why: people are curious about what's happening in their own environment.'

Nevertheless, cutbacks did have an impact. ‘Budgets became smaller. Local broadcasters noticed this very clearly. If you receive 1.57 euros per household in your municipality, that means nothing in a municipality with 30,000 people. Advertisers also left as a result of digitalisation. They now build a website to reach their customers. Journalism is no longer necessary for that. Of course you can then say: hey, it costs money and if interest decreases, we'll just stop doing it, right?’

But that need is definitely there, says De Haan. ‘Everyone thinks journalism is important. People actually want to be informed. There is a reason for that. For example, research shows that people who are better informed also feel more at home. So we don't have to convince anyone of the need for local news. It's just that the current offering no longer matches the need.’ In order to gain a better grip on opportunities in local journalism, the Dutch Local Public Broadcasting Foundation (NLPO) advocated for more research. It is the task of professor by special appointment Yael de Haan to ensure that this runs smoothly.

Striving for social connection

People who live together always seek social connection. They seek a frame of reference that offers them stability when it comes to shared norms and values, loyalty and mutual trust. Mutual communication and interaction ensure that agreement is reached within the group about differences and similarities in attitude and behaviour. De Haan: ‘All these processes lead to a sense of well-being among people. It feeds the sense of community. As long as people can talk to each other about the truth or certain problems, there is still communication and thus a shared public space. And it is precisely in that public space that a social frame of reference is created. And that is where an important task lies for journalism. More than ever, people need to talk to each other in search of that shared frame of reference. Local media can play a major role in this.’

In this way, local journalism can spread shared knowledge that citizens can use to make all kinds of decisions. Journalism also still has a role as a watchdog; it can exert political pressure when all kinds of social problems threaten to reduce social cohesion. This requires critical and investigative journalism. Journalism that can bring issues to light and thus contribute to social cohesion.

Find the audience perspective

The world does not stand still and journalism must continue to develop, too. This is happening, albeit with some delay. De Haan: ‘In itself, a development such as digitalisation has been well received – although it took a lot of time – but journalism has also partly lost sight of the citizen. And that needs to be worked on. If you want to pay more attention to your audience, you will have to delve into their needs. Local journalism will therefore have to shift from news wisdom to audience wisdom.’

The forgotten target groups

Local journalists may also wonder whether they are reaching everyone. ‘Too often, certain target groups are underexposed. Think of young people. They want to know what is going on so that they can join the conversation. So, how do you do local journalism for young people? For example, by involving them in journalism.’ De Haan points to the Kalm An programme as an example. An initiative by Omroep Gelderland with a number of other regional broadcasters in which young people are in charge. So that news items such as tuning mopeds can also be included.

Facilitate the conversation

Society has changed. Social media now plays a major role. At the same time, research shows that many people find it difficult to assess the reliability of all that information on social media. De Haan: ‘Local broadcasters and newspapers in particular could promote local conversation as independent and reliable facilitators. In doing so, they play an important role between citizens, but also between citizens and the government.’

Social cohesion in a society arises from, among other things, good relationships between citizens and good relationships between citizens and institutions. This is where local journalism can play an important role. Journalism is then no longer just about informing, but also about stimulating political and social involvement. De Haan: ‘Then it is about journalistic proximity. And perhaps other roles are needed than the classic role of editor, reporter, or presenter. Citizens can also play an active role in this. The key question in this case is how local journalism can support local conversation online and offline for the benefit of that social cohesion.’

Invest in investigative journalism

According to De Haan, the KRO/NCRV programme Pointer is a good example of this. ‘They work with pop-up editorial teams in various locations in the country, such as Harlingen and Olst. On location, they work closely with regional and local broadcasters who have a large network in the region and reach the public. Together, they create journalism based on what is going on among the people. Set up a pop-up editorial team and get information from a district or neighborhood. And if it concerns a sensitive subject, organize a debate evening about it. In short: go out and immerse yourself in the community.’

Become a professional in community building

In recent years, there has been a rightful investment in professionalising local public broadcasting. At the same time, this process should not alienate journalism from the local audience. Local journalism must be a familiar face. De Haan: ‘That also requires a new relationship with volunteers and a different view of how journalism can be part of the community.’

The circle is complete

A lot may have changed, but the essence of local journalism remains the same. Local journalism is still about people and what connects and occupies them. Yael de Haan concluded her speech with a reference to the way her grandparents consumed the news.

‘Times may have changed, but at its core, journalism is still about communication between people. For my grandfather, Sunday was the day to read the Nieuwsblad van het Noorden. In a large leather chair, he had a pile on the right that he had already read and a pile on the left that he still had to get through. That way, he was well informed about what was happening in Groningen. Although he also got the news every day via his bakery, of course.’

‘My other grandparents lived in Cordoba in Argentina. Jewish Hungarian immigrants who had immigrated to Argentina in the 1920s. They read the city newspaper of Cordoba, La Voz del Interior (Voice from within) to feel at home in their new environment. And now I discuss the news and society with my husband and children. And while my husband and I are labeled as old-fashioned boomers and we see our children as social media addicts, we secretly listen to each other and learn from each other every time. And that is actually what it is all about.'

Prof Dr Yael de Haan de Haan is Professor by Special Appointment of Local Public Broadcasting at the UG on behalf of the Foundation of Dutch Local Public Broadcasters.