ABSTRACT
One of the major developments was the switch by legacy Big Media news organisations to digital delivery of news and the emergence of hyperlocal news sites. New emerging hyperlocal news sites made up for a decline in coverage in the least deprived constituencies but the more deprived communities appear to be losing out, raising questions about whether the hyperlocal sector requires public money to ensure the fulfilment of critical information needs. Others have framed the emergence of ‘news deserts’ as creating a democratic deficit and opportunities for corruption. The study explored the impact in areas of social deprivation on one of the ‘critical information needs’ of those communities, that is voting in elections. Local newspapers are no longer seen as the glue binding communities together and the result is a significant lack of knowledge about local politics and current affairs, which appeared to fuel distrust.
