LOCAL MEDIA

It’s not a secret that change (both good and bad) happens at the local level. That’s why it’s so important for us to pay attention to our local politics and our communities – for instance, what’s happening at our school boards, in our town councils, in our state legislatures.

The best place for staying informed in your community is not with the national news. It’s with your local media. 

• Local newspaper: Your local newspaper is going to help to keep you abreast of what is going on in your community. And in an era in which local newspapers are increasingly shuttering, or being acquired by large conglomerates, your subscription dollars can help keep your local newspaper in business, serving the community. Local newspapers are also evolving–some are moving online and others are even launching online, so those who like to get their news in the digital space may even have more options these days.
• Local public radio: There are more than 100 local NPR member stations across the country. These local affiliates share the commitment to informing the public about the world around them–through the voices of members of their communities.

Your local newspaper can also be a source of commentary from people in your community who are sharing their thoughts. Read the opinion pages to experience a range of opinions from your neighbors. Whether you agree or disagree, it can help you develop a better understanding of topics that touch your community and how others are reacting to them. And don’t be shy about contributing to your local newspaper’s opinion pages, too. If you disagree with an op-ed published about a topic you care deeply about, consider writing a letter to the editor in reply. Constructive discourse and respectful disagreement are important parts of a democracy, and newspaper opinion pages have always been a place for such debate.

Dedicated television viewers should understand, however, that when it comes to local television stations, you are more likely to encounter programming that is informed by the opinions and preferences of media conglomerates. Media consolidation is dramatically impacting the local television market, with a handful of companies owning hundreds of stations each – and imposing on them requirements for political leanings that influence the tone of the resulting coverage. And the Federal Communications Commission has lifted limits on television station ownership, meaning that large conglomerates have more leeway now to even further dominate America’s news stations.

Your local television stations may be great sources for weather, traffic, and local news, but trust your gut when it comes to political reporting.

PUBLIC MEDIA AND INDEPENDENT MEDIA

In an era of media mergers that led to the introduction of bias or at least limitations on reporting depth and diverse viewpoints, American public media and independent media sources remain a critical source of reliable and accessible information.

Early in 2026, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting dissolved as a resolve of massive Congressionally mandated budget cuts. Still, National Public Radio and PBS (the Public Broadcast Service) remain operational, bringing high-quality programming – including news reporting – to people across the country. 

Reporting from NPR and PBS is highly fact-checked and considered unblemished by any corporate bias or other external interference. As news sources, they are trustworthy, well-researched, and comprehensive. 

Getting your news from public media is a great way to stay well-versed on the topics that matter, but without government funding support, their future is in limbo. Show your support by including public broadcast and public radio among your regular media choices.

Independent media outlets also play an important role in the news ecosystem. These outlets exist to withstand interference from corporate interests and empower their reporters to conduct exceptional investigative reporting. They include:

• Propublica: This nonprofit newsroom produces investigative reporting in the public interest, often confronting corruption or abuses of power, addressing misinformation, or unveiling unknown threats to people’s health and lives.
• Mother Jones: This nonprofit outlet exposes the truth about often underreported topics including reproductive health care, criminal justice, and the environment.
• openDemocracy: Democracy is not only under threat in the U.S. This nonprofit news site covers the future of democracy around the world, giving readers a global lens into global rights.
• Associated Press: One of the oldest newswire services – and a nonprofit one – the AP feeds reliable, high-quality reporting content into local outlets across the country. If you see AP articles in your local newspaper or on your local TV stations’ websites, you can have confidence in their reporting. But you can also find their coverage directly on their website, as well.

FACT CHECKING

In today’s information overload environment, there is a crisis of misinformation and disinformation reaching people. Mis- and disinformation are pervasive online, but they can also seep into the news ecosystem. A reporter may not realize they are repeating a falsehood they hadn’t adequately fact checked, or they may include a quote from a source who is using misleading statements.

There are reputable tools for fact checking that are available to everyone. If you read something that gives you pause – maybe it seems too good to be true, or a little too convenient to believe – you can consult these resources to get deep dives into what is real, what is not, and what is in the murky middle. While you’re reading, keep in mind this infographic from the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions with eight tips for spotting fake news.

• FactCheck.org: What they say: “We are a nonpartisan, nonprofit ‘consumer advocate’ for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics. We monitor the factual accuracy of what is said by major U.S. political players in the form of TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews and news releases. Our goal is to apply the best practices of both journalism and scholarship, and to increase public knowledge and understanding.”

Why I use it: FactCheck’s writers dig deep into issues to get to the truth. Many times, there is no clear answer about whether a statement is true or false, but their coverage helps to shed light on the issues, so you can make a decision for yourself. 

• PolitiFact, a product of the Poynter Institute: What they say: “Fact-checking journalism is the heart of PolitiFact. Our core principles are independence, transparency, fairness, thorough reporting and clear writing. The reason we publish is to give citizens the information they need to govern themselves in a democracy.”

Why I use it: Politifact’s rating system may be cheeky, but their information is well-vetted and reliable. They cover everything from major topics to individual tweets, so help me stay on top of misinformation as it emerges, and their “If Your Time is Short” overview feature allows me to get a quick sense of the facts even when I don’t have time to dig into the full article.

NEWSLETTERS AND NEW MEDIA

The digital ecosystem has allowed newsletters, podcasts, and online news forums to flourish. Today, new media has tremendous influence and allows users to find reliable, informative content that is right for them. 

New media also spans a range of platforms and delivery. Some new media sources exist online in structures that replicate the style and layout of conventional news outlets, complete with reporting staff. Others take the form of emails delivered to readers’ inboxes at a regular cadence, or daily YouTube videos. Although it may be overwhelming to find the new media forms that are best for you, your interests, and your lifestyle, the good news is that with this much variety, you are sure to find what you are looking for.

Below are a few trustworthy new media sources:

• Letters from an American: In 2019, Boston College professor Heather Cox Richardson began writing essays on Facebook to provide historical context to current events. She has since transitioned to Substack, where she is one of the most well-read contributors. Her daily updates help to contextualize politics and American history.
• Democracy Docket: Democracy Docket provides thoughtful, thorough coverage of elections, voting rights, and the courts. Their work reflects a pro-democracy lens, as they speak truth to power when there are attacks on our systems.
• Politico Newsletters: Politico has carved out a role as a leading outlet covering politics and policy, but they also produce daily and weekly newsletters about a wide range of topics and regions. Sign up for newsletters about what matters to you and you’ll get overviews from reputable reporters delivered to your inbox.
• Zeteo: Zeteo, which combines written articles with engaging video content, claims to be “a movement for media accountability.” The outlet tracks the topics that are trending in the world and searches out experts who can truly illuminate the issues, regularly asking the tough questions and helping users walk away more fluent about things that matter.