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Without Local Newspapers, Can We Save Our Democracy? An Analysis Of Political Culture, Voter Turnout, And Civic Engagement, Julia Reinhard

Political Science & International Studies | Senior Theses

Since the 1830s, newspapers have been accessible to all members of the public in the United States regardless of socio-economic status. Newspapers are important political information providers. Local journalists provide invaluable expertise for the community they serve about community-level problems, local elections, and help hold government accountable. If news organizations cannot afford to sustain a local newspaper and its staff, the result is a news desert for the community. While recent research has examined the decline of local newspapers, little has been done on how the decline of local newspapers affects civic engagement and voter turnout across the United States. …