EOTO #2: News Deserts

 The term "news desert" refers to a community that is no longer covered by daily or non-daily newspapers.  The term emerged in the United States after hundreds of daily and weekly newspapers were closed in the 2000s and 2010s. Today, more than 200 of the nations 3,143 counties have no local newspaper. Digital news sites have failed to fill the void, leaving residents to turn to social media or regional television stations. 

Because, historically, newspapers had created a strong sense of community, their advertising encouraged regional economic growth by helping businesses reach consumers, and they nurtured social cohesion and political participation by putting national issues, such as healthcare or gun control, into local context. 

Some areas most certainly have it worse than others. The areas that have lost a newspaper tend to be in communities with poorer, older, and less educated persons. These communities don't have the proper funding to have a local newspaper. The south is the region that has the most cities without a newspaper. Every southern state, has at least one county without a newspaper. 

Loss of local news has significant implications for our society. Almost three-quarters of the public remains unaware of the dire economic situation confronting local news organizations. The business model that supported print journalism for two centuries has collapsed. Today, while we get news online, in the 20th century, they relied on advertising for revenue. In a 2020 report of new deserts, by UNC,  states that in the last 15 years newspaper readers and journalists have vanished. This loss of journalists and circulation speaks to the declining influence of local newspapers, and raises questions about their long term financial viability in a digital era. 

The Washington Post released an article talking about the effects of the declining news and says that the major impact to come out of this is the loss of democracy and its ability to function. 

Overall, this is a critical issue that keeps getting worse at time goes on and technology changes and more people need to learn about the importance of this and try and look for ways that we can help the situation even by a little. By 2032, local newspaper organizations are suppose to decline by 8-10%. It has a been a local issue for so long now, but it is turning into an issue that is impacting our government and our democracy.