There are many approaches to solving the media crisis in our communities and country.
This toolkit attempts to harness the resources of the research community to understand our local media ecosystems and strengthen our democracy. Understanding what actually exists in your community or state is a first step toward protecting and nurturing a robust local news ecosystem. The LNIC see this toolkit as a living document, we welcome all feedback and suggestions. This is a community effort. We’re open to collaboration and sharing resources.
Acknowledgements
A collaborative and open-source approach to the study of community information needs
This report is a collaboration between the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication and the Local News Impact Consortium (LNIC), a open-source initiative that unites researchers, journalists, and funders to rebuild sustainable, data-driven local news ecosystems.
About the author, Regina Lawrence
Regina Lawrence is currently serving as Interim Dean of the School of Journalism and Communication at the University of Oregon, where she is also Research Director of the Agora Journalism Center. She is a nationally recognized authority on political communication, local news, and the role of media in public discourse about politics and policy. She has co-authored multiple studies of local news ecosystems, including Assessing Oregon’s Local News & Information Ecosystem 2025. She serves on the LNIC Steering Committee and Newsroom Census working group.
Join the Local News Impact Consortium
The Local News Impact Consortium is a new approach to a national emergency. The LNIC is an independent research project led by researchers at Rutgers University, University of Texas – Austin, University of Missouri, Northwestern University, University of Minnesota, and University of Oregon. We are building a strong coalition of researchers, journalists, founders, and funders to work together to revive local news ecosystems across the country. By contributing to our growth, participating in working groups, or engaging with the tools we’re building, you can help ensure local communities have access to trustworthy news and information.
Creative Commons License
The LNIC is an open-source initiative to rebuild sustainable, data-driven local news ecosystems. This license enables reusers of this report to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator. If you remix, adapt, or build upon the material, you must license the modified material under identical terms. CC BY-NC-SA includes the following elements:
- BY: Credit must be given to the creator.
- NC: Only noncommercial uses of the work are permitted.
- SA: Adaptations must be shared under the same terms.
Our consortium is only as strong as its partnerships. Questions, comments, or suggestions? Contact the LNIC >
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