EMERGING DIGITAL ECOSYSTEMS

The digital era has profoundly disrupted traditional local news outlets, leading to widespread closures, the formation of "news deserts," and concerns about diminished civic engagement and democratic health. This paper examines the transformation of local journalism amidst these challenges...

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Main Author: Dan Valeriu VOINEA
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Editura Sitech 2024-07-01
Series:Social Sciences and Education Research Review
Subjects:
Online Access:https://sserr.ro/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/sserr-11-1-278-285.pdf
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author Dan Valeriu VOINEA
author_facet Dan Valeriu VOINEA
author_sort Dan Valeriu VOINEA
collection DOAJ
description The digital era has profoundly disrupted traditional local news outlets, leading to widespread closures, the formation of "news deserts," and concerns about diminished civic engagement and democratic health. This paper examines the transformation of local journalism amidst these challenges, focusing on the emergence of local news platforms as multifaceted community hubs. Drawing on theoretical frameworks including media localism, community-centered journalism, and media ecosystem theory, it analyzes the critical role of community engagement in fostering trust and sustainability. It details the significant economic, technological, and audience-related challenges confronting local news, alongside emerging opportunities such as diversified revenue streams and innovative, engagement-focused operational models. Through case studies, it illustrates how local news organizations are redefining their roles beyond mere information dissemination to become conveners, facilitators, and integral community institutions. Finally, it explores policy implications and future directions, arguing that a combination of grassroots innovation, strategic funding, supportive policies, and a conceptual shift towards viewing local news as a public good is necessary for its revitalization. The central thesis posits that by embracing a community-centric approach and functioning as dynamic hubs, local news platforms can achieve resilience and renew their vital role in contemporary society.
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spelling doaj-art-b6d3cbda91fc4d9586cbbfe3b8f25d9f2025-08-20T03:18:26ZengEditura SitechSocial Sciences and Education Research Review2392-98632024-07-0111127828510.5281/zenodo.15258187EMERGING DIGITAL ECOSYSTEMSDan Valeriu VOINEA0University of Craiova, RomaniaThe digital era has profoundly disrupted traditional local news outlets, leading to widespread closures, the formation of "news deserts," and concerns about diminished civic engagement and democratic health. This paper examines the transformation of local journalism amidst these challenges, focusing on the emergence of local news platforms as multifaceted community hubs. Drawing on theoretical frameworks including media localism, community-centered journalism, and media ecosystem theory, it analyzes the critical role of community engagement in fostering trust and sustainability. It details the significant economic, technological, and audience-related challenges confronting local news, alongside emerging opportunities such as diversified revenue streams and innovative, engagement-focused operational models. Through case studies, it illustrates how local news organizations are redefining their roles beyond mere information dissemination to become conveners, facilitators, and integral community institutions. Finally, it explores policy implications and future directions, arguing that a combination of grassroots innovation, strategic funding, supportive policies, and a conceptual shift towards viewing local news as a public good is necessary for its revitalization. The central thesis posits that by embracing a community-centric approach and functioning as dynamic hubs, local news platforms can achieve resilience and renew their vital role in contemporary society.https://sserr.ro/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/sserr-11-1-278-285.pdflocal journalism community engagement digital news sustainability news deserts community hubs media ecosystems nonprofit journalism
spellingShingle Dan Valeriu VOINEA
EMERGING DIGITAL ECOSYSTEMS
Social Sciences and Education Research Review
local journalism
community engagement
digital news
sustainability
news deserts
community hubs
media ecosystems
nonprofit journalism
title EMERGING DIGITAL ECOSYSTEMS
title_full EMERGING DIGITAL ECOSYSTEMS
title_fullStr EMERGING DIGITAL ECOSYSTEMS
title_full_unstemmed EMERGING DIGITAL ECOSYSTEMS
title_short EMERGING DIGITAL ECOSYSTEMS
title_sort emerging digital ecosystems
topic local journalism
community engagement
digital news
sustainability
news deserts
community hubs
media ecosystems
nonprofit journalism
url https://sserr.ro/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/sserr-11-1-278-285.pdf
work_keys_str_mv AT danvaleriuvoinea emergingdigitalecosystems