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Summary of reporting by Mother Jones • • 1 min read
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Local News Decline Affects Community Trust in Journalism

A group in Elizabethtown, North Carolina, meets weekly to discuss local issues amid a decline in local news. Residents report feeling uninformed, with two-thirds of the state's counties identified as news deserts, contributing to distrust in media. A new episode of Reveal, in partnership with Scene on Radio, examines the state of American journalism and ways to rebuild trust.

People
Penny Abernathy

In Elizabethtown, North Carolina, a weekly gathering of older men highlights concerns about the decline of local news. Residents feel uninformed and unable to participate in civic duties, such as voting. With two-thirds of North Carolina's counties classified as news deserts, trust in the media is eroding. A new episode of Reveal, in collaboration with Scene on Radio, discusses the challenges facing American journalism and explores potential solutions.

Key facts

  • Residents in rural North Carolina feel uninformed due to lack of local news.
  • Two-thirds of North Carolina's counties are considered news deserts.
  • Penny Abernathy stated, 'I’m not gonna vote if I can’t get the information.'
  • The episode updates a previous broadcast from June 2026.
  • Reveal collaborates with the podcast Scene on Radio for this discussion.
Read the full story at Mother Jones

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We Get It. You Don’t Trust Us.

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Local News Decline Affects Community Trust in Journalism