The role of local news in countering election denialism and defending democracy has never been more critical. Public Wise’s research reveals that consuming local news is associated with reduced support for election denialism and a better understanding of democratic principles. This makes local news a powerful counter to the misinformation spread by right-wing media, particularly among key persuadable voter groups like moderate Independents. Local news not only informs but also fosters trust, with more Americans relying on it for local political coverage than any other source. This presents a unique opportunity for democracy advocates to leverage local news to promote civic engagement and counter anti-democratic narratives. 

Despite its potential, local news faces significant challenges. The rapid consolidation of media ownership has created “news deserts” in rural areas, leaving many communities without reliable local coverage. These gaps are further exploited by election deniers, who target rural counties with voter suppression tactics. Even existing rural-serving newspapers face increased threats, as seen in the widely publicized raid of a Kansas newsroom following critiques of local government officials. Public Wise’s research highlights these vulnerabilities and underscores the urgent need for action to support and expand local journalism to safeguard democracy.

The trust and influence local news holds make it a crucial ally in the fight for democracy. Advocates can collaborate with local outlets to provide voters with essential election information, from ballot measures to local candidates. By centering communities and emphasizing objective, factual reporting, local news can offer a persuasive counter-narrative to divisive misinformation. Supporting local journalism isn’t just about preserving media—it’s about preserving democracy itself. 

Read the full report from Public Wise to learn more about how local news can defend democracy and counteract election denialism.

Key Takeaways

• We find local news consumption in any form (TV, radio, or newspaper) is associated with a lower likelihood of holding election denialist views. Local news consumers:
  • Are less likely to believe Trump got more votes in 2020 and other election denier lies
  • Are less willing to vote for an election denier
• We find the top three new sources among registered voters are TV (63%), Social media (61%) and Newspapers (53%). 
• Local newspapers are the most popular types of newspapers across political and ideological groups. Local TV is the most popular TV news source among Democrats, liberal Independents and moderate Independants, and second most popular among Republicans and conservative Independents behind Fox News. 
• Consuming local news is associated with fewer moderate Independents, conservative Independents and Republicans saying they are 1) likely to vote for election deniers and 2) believe the Big Lie, even if they also consume right-wing news. 
• Local newspapers are particularly effective at combating election denialism and defending democracy: local newspaper readers are significantly less likely to think Trump got more votes in 2020 compared to Biden, less likely to be willing to vote for an election denier, less likely to believe election denier claims, and more likely to believe ceding power after losing an election is essential for a democracy.