News deserts: Local journalism at risk

New Zealand is at risk of developing “news deserts” – communities with little or no access to local journalism – according to a paper by Koi Tū Centre for Informed Futures.

Read the report
Read the media release

The report, News deserts: Local journalism at risk, written by Koi Tū honorary fellow Dr Gavin Ellis, highlights the serious consequences of losing local news coverage, including weaker democracy, reduced social cohesion, increased misinformation, and greater risk of corruption.

“Over the past seven years, 40 community newspapers have closed,” Dr Ellis said. “It would be folly to think news deserts do not exist in New Zealand.”

Koi Tū Managing Trustee Sir Peter Gluckman emphasised that access to local journalism is “a needed service for communities now compromised by changed market realities.”

The report draws on international evidence from the US, Canada, UK, Spain, Romania, and Australia, where the closure of hundreds of local outlets has already left millions without access to trusted news.

Koi Tū calls for a broad, cross-sector response to support public interest journalism in New Zealand and prevent the growth of news deserts.