How post-secondary newsrooms can contribute to local information ecosystems in communities with weakened traditional media presence
This literature review investigates the potential of college and university newsrooms to mount a response to the decline of local journalism in Canada. To understand academic-news models, the review explores key drivers behind the decline of local journalism, including the effects of media consolidation, economic pressures, changes in how audiences consume news, and recent cuts to college and university journalism programs. It considers how these shifts contribute to the rise of misinformation and a decrease in civic participation. This review also addresses the challenges local outlets face maintaining operations within the media landscape. We argue academic-news partnerships could serve as an important step toward rebuilding and sustaining community-based news even as journalism programs contract. Such partnerships are shown to enhance local reporting, give students meaningful professional experience and restore public trust in local journalism. The review draws on examples from Durham Region to illustrate how college and university newsrooms like The Chronicle can contribute to local information ecosystems in communities where traditional media presence has weakened.
Read the full article in the Fall 2025 issue of Facts and Frictions
Facts and Frictions is published by J-Schools Canada, Canada’s national association for post-secondary journalism research and education. All content is open access and available via J-Source.