Gaps are emerging in local news provision across Australia, but embracing community-driven content could improve the viability of local news, according to research from the University of Canberra and RMIT University.
The study, Engaged Journalism In The Heartland: Understanding Regional News Audiences, analysed more than 3,000 news stories, surveyed audiences and interviewed more than 200 people from regional communities across the country.
"The Australian regional audience profile is shifting. Regional audiences want more hyperlocal news, human-interest stories and practical information like weather and local events," said report lead author and director of UC's News and Media Research Centre, Sora Park.
"Local communities are finding ways to produce news themselves to fill information gaps relevant to their needs,” said professor Park.
“If news organisations invest in local news topics and formats that resonate with audiences, they stand to better serve their communities."
Trust in local news remained higher than national or international media, especially when journalists had local knowledge and community ties.
However, while topics such as sport and crime dominate headlines, Park said telling more human-interest stories would help re-engage audiences.
"People trust local news because journalists have local knowledge and tell locally relevant stories. This is usually because the journalists live in, understand and care about the communities they're reporting on," she said.
"Locals can read about crime and sport on social media but turn to media outlets to learn about issues that matter to them and their community.
“Boosting coverage of culture and community issues instead of relying on crime and sport would improve diversity and representation in news coverage."
Report co-author T.J. Thomson from RMIT University said visual storytelling was underused, missing opportunities for deeper audience engagement.
"Visuals attract attention, spark emotional connections and help audiences make sense of news. Outlets should consider using more video, photo galleries, graphs and maps to help tell stories," Dr Thomson said.
Previous research led by Thomson found viewers generally consider images with other people in them, particularly images with faces, as more engaging than those without.
Report co-author and UC senior lecturer Jee Young Lee said tapping into existing online communities and local content creators could help improve news relevance and value.
Recommendations included broadening the authorship of local columns, running community reporting workshops and creating channels for tip-offs.
"In an increasingly visual environment and shrinking attention span, staying relevant is key. Outlets should explore ways and establish processes to involve their audience in the production and dissemination of news," Dr Lee said.
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