Editors of Regional Newspapers on the Prospects of Local Media: Research Results

Abstract

In the article, the authors continue to present the results of a study of the current state and possibilities for improving the editorial strategies of municipal newspapers. The crisis of (self) identification of local media is observed in many countries, but in Russia there is a possibility of closing a large number of local media, which, in fact, are not needed by the government and business, and citizens are not ready to participate in financing their activities. However, there is also a positive experience of some successful regional newspapers, which is possible for dissemination. The article presents the results of the analysis of interviews with the leaders of such media. Emphasis is placed on the role of local media in public processes in which other actors also participate. The authors draw attention to the uniqueness of the work of local editorial offices, which is associated with a long-term focus on solving the problems of citizens and communities and the desire to work together with readers, government officials and business to solve urgent problems. The authors of the article propose to open a discussion about the criteria for the effectiveness of local media and offer their own version of kpi: not newspaper circulation and social media coverage, but real changes that have occurred on the initiative and (or) with the participation of local media journalists.