SUMMARY
Judy Woodruff recently examined how the loss of thousands of local newspapers across the country is depriving communities of some of the glue that holds them together and whether or not that change is fueling division.
Woodruff now looks at how some news outlets are managing to hang on and whether what they’re doing is sustainable. It’s part of the series, America at a Crossroads.
For a transcript of this story, click here.
News wrap alternative: Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.
WARM UP QUESTIONS
- Who is Anne Adams, and what is her background?
- Where is Adams' paper based?
- What role have local papers had in uniting communities, according to this story?
- Why are many local news outlets failing?
- How has Mississippi Today managed to grow?
FOCUS QUESTIONS
When local newspapers fail, what do you think could take their place in helping to keep communities tied together and informed by similar information? Do you think it's an apt replacement? Why/why not?
News analysis: Why do you think Judy Woodruff told this story by focusing on a few local news sources?
Alternative: See, Think, Wonder: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What story would you want to find out more about? Where would you go to learn more?
FOR MORE
What students can do: Do you know what local media covers your community? As a class, research what outlets cover your neighborhood, city or county. Then discuss — how is the outlet(s) funded? Who owns them, and how do they generate income? How do you think ownership influences coverage?
Here's a key lesson in media literacy: You might also want to watch the following companion story about the loss of local news:
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