When people talk about how they don't trust the media anymore or that journalists are all partisan hacks, chances are they are referring to mainstream or national media outlets, not your standard local newspaper or TV station.
Local papers and TV stations escape much of the scrutiny levelled at the national media, and it's not surprising why. Comparatively, local media is more focused on covering stories in their communities (AKA doing their jobs) as opposed to virtue signaling or feigning outrage on national cable programs or editorial columns.
Local journalism can be in many forms: newspapers, web-based media, TV, radio and even podcasts.
Local journalism plays an important role in providing information and news about the communities they serve. Here are some of the benefits of local journalism:
Keeping citizens informed: Local journalism keeps citizens informed about what is happening in their communities. It covers local events, issues, and developments that are often not covered by national news outlets.
Fostering a sense of community: Local journalism brings people together by highlighting local events, celebrations, and initiatives. It helps create a sense of community by providing a platform for people to connect with one another.
Holding local officials accountable: Local journalists act as watchdogs, investigating and reporting on the actions of local officials and institutions. They help to ensure that public officials are accountable to the citizens they serve.
Providing a platform for ignored voices: Local journalism provides a platform for diverse voices to be heard. It covers stories that are relevant to local communities, including those that may be overlooked by national media.
Boosting the local economy: Local journalism can help boost the local economy by promoting local businesses and events. It can also provide information about job openings, new businesses, and other economic developments.
New York, being the state containing New York City, one of the financial capitals of the world, is home to some of the most influential media outlets in the world. Many national, international and industry outlets have set up shop in New York. Here are the top 5, ranked in descending order of website visitors per month:
1. The New York Times: Perhaps the most recognized daily in western media, the New York Times is based in New York City and publishes in multiple languages and has several versions of its daily - a U.S. national edition, international edition, and New York-based edition.
2. New York Post: The Post, although not as historically heralded as the Times or the Wall Street Journal, funnels lots of traffic to its website through high social media engagement and what some may consider "clickbait" headlines.
3. Wall Street Journal: The financial news powerhouse has for years had the highest circulation in the world. The WSJ is much more than financial news. Its reporters cover everything under the sun, and does so with more impartiality than the Times.
4. The Epoch Times: The Epoch Times is a conservative-leaning publication that covers political news. Like the New York Post, it also funnels much traffic to its site due to its social media presence.
5. New York Daily News: The New York Daily News was founded in 1919 as the Daily News. It was the first daily printed in tabloid format.
The New York Post has a reputation for publishing eye-catching headlines.
Although many local newspapers in the U.S. have shut their doors over the past decade due to the popular shift to web-based delivery of news, local outlets still play a major role in the day-to-day lives of people living in communities all across the state of New York.
Here are the top 5 local newspapers in New York, ranked in descending order of website visitors per month:
1. Albany Business Review: Covers business, property and local news in the Albany area, the capital of New York.
2. The Post-Standard: Covers the Syracuse area.
3. The Buffalo News: Covers Buffalo, Orchard Park, Niagara Falls and the nearby U.S.-Canada border.
4. Staten Island Advance: Covers Staten Island, one of the five boroughs of New York City.
5. Democrat and Chronicle: Covers news in the Rochester area.
Analyzing local media is an essential part of an organization's intelligence and public relations strategy. Contact us today or request a free trial to see how Consul Media Intelligence can help your business leverage the local, national and international media to grow, expand and generate more revenue.