The report by the Public Policy Forum (PPF) titled "Ayette: Exploring the Impact of Declining Small-Town News Outlets on Community Titanium" provides a comprehensive analysis of how declining local news outlets across Canada’s small towns are reshaping society. The survey, conducted among residents of communities with populations under 100,000–half of those communities belong to populations of fewer than 10,000– tension between community ties and access to information has become a critical issue.
The PPF highlighted significant drops in local news coverage, which have been attributed to reduced ad revenues, a shift in corporate ownership models, and the dominance of online platforms. This has led to a more fragmented and alienated view of governance, schools, and healthcare in small towns. The findings reveal that communities view local news as essential, yet their understanding of these institutions is increasingly fragmented.
The report, co-authored by Andrew Phillips, a Toronto Star columnist and former editor-in-chief of the Montreal Gazette and the Victoria Times Colonist, and with gratitude from Edward Greenspon, PPF fellow and former editor-in-chief of the Globe and Mail, underscores the need for systemic reforms. Key recommendations include tax incentives for supporting local businesses on ads, philanthropic support for public funds, and the creation of bootstrapped local news organizations.
To counteract the decline, sprites like Village Media, often launched two decades ago in communities such as Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, have emerged as a freeport, offering fresh perspectives on local journalism. These digital startups, supported by philanthropic donations and independent boards, aim to fill gaps left by the halting of local journalism, particularly in visually stunning and engaging platforms.
The report points to a thriving ecosystem of digital innovation, with over 252 fewer small-town news outlets since 2008, further eroding the community’s ability to connect with the availability of information. Yet, this ecosystem is grappling with the challenge of filtering out noise, with national news and social media increasingly shaping public discourse.
Phillips emphasizes that a local newspaper’s mission is to enhance understanding, provide empathy, and offer insights that resonate with the local community. He advocates for a better balance between public discourse, social media, and theFunction of local journalism, where communities can engage meaningfully with the world while salvaging their nascent news industry.