Survey shows public supports local newspapers

A 2012 national survey by the Reynolds Journalism Institute at the University of Missouri shows that people still prefer their local papers for news and information. The survey was conducted in small U.S. towns and cities where the circulation size of the local newspaper was 15,000 or less.

Of those who participated in the survey, 52 percent were daily newspaper readers and 48 percent were non-daily readers. The circulation sizes of the newspapers ranged from 309 to 14,943. Results included:

• 71 percent of the respondents read a community newspaper at least once a week.

• On average, readers spent 39.92 minutes reading local newspapers.

• 75 percent read all or most of their newspaper.

• 77.4 percent read the paper for local news and information.

• The majority of local readers continued to regard community newspapers as highly valuable and important sources of information about their communities.

• 83 percent agreed that they and their families relied on the newspapers for local news and information.

• 46 percent of readers used the newspapers for their political and voting decisions.

• 78 percent said agreed that governments should be required to publish public notices in newspapers.

• 71 percent believe the accuracy of their local paper is either good or excellent.

• 70 percent believe the coverage is either good or excellent.

• 53 percent preferred newspapers over other local media outlets, such as television, radio, etc. The local newspaper was preferred in a 3-1 margin over television.