Many people feel overwhelmed by the amount of information they have on a day-to-day basis, leading to disengagement and often feel disconnected from traditional models of journalism. A Press Forward report “This Is Local News Now” articulates the role of community groups, businesses, and civic institutions play in getting people timely and trusted information.
The report identifies “information stewards,” who maintain and deliver local news, including the news providers themselves as well as “civic promoters,” people who bring stories to people, and “community catalysts,” who help people engage civically and drive action. Working together, the three types of information stewards can sustain healthy local news ecosystems that helps people avoid overwhelm and engage with the news that is relevant to their communities.
