How to support local news outlets

Whether by giving a detailed report about education standards, highlighting a local food festival or covering the bankruptcy of a prominent nursing home operator, local news outlets cover stories that affect daily life — stories that might otherwise go untold.

“Without local newsrooms, it’s almost impossible to follow everything that’s impacting you in your community,” said Anna Brown, executive director of Citizens Count, a nonprofit in New Hampshire dedicated to civic engagement.

Understanding local issues is intertwined with democracy and strong communities, said Loretta Chao, head of startup studio and local news innovation at the American Journalism Project, a national philanthropy effort established to strengthen local newsrooms.

“Supporting local news isn’t about saving journalism jobs or journalism brands,” she said. “It’s about investing in your community and the future of the people who live in it.”

News media are still in the midst of a shift from newspaper heydays to the digital landscape, according to Chao, which makes public support more important than ever.

“We need to treat [local news outlets], and give to them, the way we would give to other vital institutions that are part of the fabric of our communities,” she said.

Here’s how to get started:

Read and give feedback

Luckily, supporting local news doesn’t have to be complicated.

“Picking up a paper and reading it is the top way people can support local news,” said Katelyn Mary Skaggs, co-owner of the Missouri-based Leader Publications, which operates four newspapers in the state.

The biggest priority for local news organizations is to increase audience engagement, according to a 2024 report by the Local Media Consortium. Eighty-three percent of local news organizations surveyed named that as their top goal.

As a local news consumer, this is how you can support local news, without opening your wallet. Liking and sharing local coverage on social media or even just mentioning an article in conversation can help your local news outlet increase its reach, while also keeping your social networks up-to-date with important news.

“That helps us so much because maybe [your] friend or neighbor didn’t know about the local paper and now you’ve introduced them to a reliable source of local news,” Skaggs said.

As a community member, you can also share tips and story ideas with your local outlet.

“Tell them what would make a bigger difference for you,” Chao said.

Another great way to engage is by signing up for your local outlet’s newsletter. About 77% of local news outlets generate revenue from their newsletters, according to Local Media Consortium, but signing up is often free. Just search for your local news organization and “newsletter” to sign up.

Support advertisers — and advertise yourself

Ads are still a primary source of revenue for many media outlets. As a reader, you can support those outlets by doing business with advertisers. Be sure to mention that you saw their ad in your local news outlet.

“That has a huge impact on their decision to advertise again, which keeps [the outlet’s] doors open,” Skaggs said.

If you own a business, consider directing some of your ad spending to local outlets.

Donate

Most media outlets — including those that are for-profit businesses — accept donations. Even $1 or $5 donations are important for local news outlets, Skaggs said.

“Nothing is too small,” she said. “That is wholeheartedly appreciated."

Unlike donations to businesses, those to nonprofit organizations are tax-deductible. Here are nonprofits that contribute to local news in New Hampshire:

• NH Community News Fund. This fund brings together the partner organizations in the Granite State News Collaborative to grow local news, media literacy, and community engagement.
• NH Public Radio. NHPR relies on listener support, which is especially important given recent federal cuts in public radio funding.
• NH PBS. NH Public Broadcasting Service has seen an 18% reduction in its budget due to federal funding cuts. Public support is key to making up the difference. 
• New Hampshire Bulletin. The Bulletin is part of States Newsroom, a nationwide group of state-focused nonprofit news organizations.
• Report for America. Report for America pairs young journalists and underserved newsrooms. In the past, the organization has provided a reporter to do dedicated statehouse coverage in New Hampshire.

Advocate

Public policy changes can play a role in supporting local journalism. The Rebuild Local News Coalition is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization advocating for public policies that support local news, including tax credits for individuals who subscribe to local outlets and for businesses that advertise in local media. (Federal legislation outlining this was introduced in 2021, but did not move forward; Massachusetts also considered a similar state tax credit in 2024, which was not adopted).

State policies can also make a difference. Vermont is currently considering a bill that would require 70% of government ad spending go to local outlets.

In addition, the public can encourage school systems to emphasize the importance of local news and news literacy. News Literacy Project is a national nonprofit dedicated to helping educators teach students about consuming news and spotting misinformation.

Say thanks

Many local news organizations and the people who work at them are dedicated to their communities, so a little show of thanks can go a long way.

“Most of [our] small donations come with notes about what the paper means to them,” Skaggs said. "We hang those up all year round in the office so the whole team can read them and understand … our news has an impact.”

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This story is part of Know Your News — a Granite State News Collaborative and the New England Newspaper and Press Association's Press Freedom Committee initiative on why the First Amendment, press freedom, and local news matter. Don’t just read this. Share it with one person who doesn’t usually follow local news — that’s how we make an impact. More at laconiadailysun.com/knowyournews.