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How are news deserts defined in the study?
The study defines ‘news deserts’ as areas or communities where it is difficult or impossible to access sufficiently diverse and independent local, regional and community media and information. To operationalise the concept, independent researchers analysed local media ecosystems along criteria such as the presence of local and community media services and their sustainability, local market conditions, editorial independence, media’s ability to reach marginalised groups, as well as the safety of local journalists.
What are the main findings of the study?
For each aforementioned criterion, researchers established risks levels in Member States. Altogether, the research just published shows that the phenomenon of news deserts is on the increase and all Member States are concerned, with Central and Eastern Europe being particularly affected, as well as rural areas. To help tackle this issue of relevance for media pluralism, the research provides recommendations for public authorities, journalists organisations and other stakeholders, ranging from innovation support to data collection.
What is being done to address this?
Alongside the mapping and report, the consortium received EU support to address this challenge and invest nearly €1.2 million in 42 local and regional media in news deserts – or areas at risk at becoming ones. Small grants focus on transformative projects such as the development of video formats, the provision of independent information to linguistic minorities, or tools for local residents to report violations of democracy or rights. Some projects are already having a direct and positive impact on democracy and accountability at the local level.
The Commission is already following up on this Pilot Project and has earmarked budget from the Creative Europe programme to continue supporting intermediaries providing grants to media of particular relevance to democracy. Four projects, worth €7 million, have been selected.
The recently agreed European Media Freedom Act will also better protect media pluralism, notably by ensuring Member States provide an assessment of the impact of key media market concentrations on media pluralism and editorial independence through media pluralism tests.
Background
The “LocalMedia4Democracy” project was selected following an open call for proposals implemented by the European Commission at the request of the European Parliament. Its main objective is to mobilise public and private actors, and contribute to revive the local media landscape with measures to build its resilience, independence, and sustainability by improving media’s capacity to innovate.