How do you define local news? More to the point, how does the rest of the public define local news?
I don’t propose that we ask anyone that question; I’d look instead of what they post and where they post it. For all the publicity X and BlueSky and even TikTok get, that’s not where people sound off on local issues. No, it’s on Nextdoor, Reddit, Ring Neighbors, and Facebook groups that the real issues are discussed.
Issues like these in my local Nextdoor feed:
“With all of the fast food places being built, I think Palm Beach County needs a White Castle.”
“Can anyone recommend the cleanest drop-off laundromat in Lake Worth to Boynton?”
“HELP! Squirrels ate big holes in my screen!”
Plus countless appeals to find the best hair stylist/gardener/nail salon/mechanic in the area. It’s the same in every town in America.
As for Ring Neighbors, any concern that it would be used as a tool for police to spy on the public takes a back seat to many lost cats and dogs and deep concern about loud noises (at least twice an evening, “Did anyone just hear gunshots?” or “Helicopters flying overhead at Atlantic and Jog – any idea what’s going on?” (A recent favorite: “JETS IN THE SKY,” which would be alarming if we didn’t live a few miles from Palm Beach International Airport.) And my community has its own Facebook group, which consists of posts about cover bands playing by the pool and complaints about the HOA and assessments.
That’s what people consider local news. Whatever the Mayor and council are doing with their tax dollars matters only when it identifiably affects their bank accounts. It’s mostly mundane concerns mixed with minor paranoia. And it’s what you’re up against when you’re talking about, or reporting on, national and international news: Sure, people care that outrageous and likely unconstitutional things are happening that threaten our democracy and put everyone’s privacy at risk, but even so, life is going on, Trump didn’t lower grocery prices like he promised, and the car needs an oil change and Mom’s roots are showing and those bangs and pops and other sounds outside are still a mystery.
People want to know about big national news stories, but they’re also – maybe more – interested in why a dozen police cars are clustered at a local intersection, or what those bright lights hovering in the night sky might be.
Relying on other users for answers works only for recommendations or for finding Whiskers and Fido (does anyone name their cats Whiskers and their dogs Fido anymore?). Why the cops are in the neighborhood, what those booms might be, why there’s no Trader Joe’s within 15 miles of town… weeding through the comments on those topics is a fool’s errand. Nobody knows the answers, but everyone feels the need to weigh in.
It would be nice if there happened to be a business model for a news organization that covers the little things like that, but if there isn’t enough business for TV, radio, and print, who’d take the risk that there’s enough local retail business to support a niche of a niche? It’d probably be easier to sell ads on deli placemats. (Deli placemats around here have ads for attorneys, gun shops, and financial advisors – yes, Lawyers, Guns and Money. Enjoy every sandwich, indeed.)
The situation means that local news is ripe for misinformation, but unless you can figure out an effective business model for it, that can’t be helped other than having other users correct those posts. It’s not ideal, and often fails, but we don’t have an alternative right now. Besides, it’s not so much a business opportunity as it is entertainment. Come on, screen-eating squirrels, mysterious things in the sky, unexplained police activity… who needs TikTok when there’s plenty of weirdness right in your neighborhood?
(P.S.: This column had to be written and submitted several hours before the Super Bowl, which explains why I didn’t mention the Eagles. You know what happened by now. I’m hoping it’ll be good news, but if it isn’t, just leave me alone for a while.)
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Perry Michael Simon is a weekly news media columnist for Barrett Media. He previously served as VP and Editor/News-Talk-Sports/Podcast for AllAccess.com. Prior to joining the industry trade publication, Perry spent years in radio working as a Program Director and Operations Manager for KLSX and KLYY in Los Angeles and New Jersey 101.5 in Trenton. He can be found on X (formerly Twitter) @PMSimon.
