Local News Deserts Widen as TV Stations Focus on National Issues
News related to:Calmatters · 2 min read
SAN FRANCISCO, CA, September 07, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- In recent months, concerns have risen regarding the local television news coverage in the United States. Local TV stations have shifted their focus to national issues, often at the expense of community-specific news. According to Dak Dillon's op-ed, "Local News Isn't Actually That Local," published in NewscastStudio, this trend has led to a significant reduction in local content and an increase in national headlines being broadcasted.
The issue is particularly pronounced in 2026, following the lifting of the FCC ownership cap. This change has allowed for-profit media companies like Gray, Scripps, Sinclair, and Nexstar to prioritize national content over local news. In an interview with CalMatters, one news director lamented that local stations are now spending significant airtime on national headlines that viewers can easily access through their smartphones or other media platforms. This shift has raised concerns among community members and non-profit organizations dedicated to providing reliable, local news.
Non-profit news organizations such as CalMatters, Bay City News, and Mission Local are stepping in to fill the gap. These organizations are focused on covering local stories that directly affect communities, ensuring that important issues are addressed and that citizens remain well-informed. For instance, Bay City News serves the greater San Francisco Bay Area and Northern California, while Mission Local focuses on high-impact, enterprise reporting in San Francisco. Both organizations are dedicated to maintaining editorial independence and providing in-depth, community-focused journalism.
To support these non-profit news outlets, CalMatters has launched a donation initiative. The organization, which is dedicated to covering California and its 39 million residents, is encouraging readers to donate to ensure that reliable, local news remains accessible during the upcoming 2026 midterm elections. CalMatters, founded in 2024 after acquiring The Markup, a nonprofit newsroom focused on technology and its impact on society, emphasizes the importance of local journalism in a world where national news is readily available.
Donations can be made through CalMatters' website, which also features a donation page. Other non-profit news organizations, such as Mission Local, Open Vallejo, and the Central Valley Journalism Collaborative, have similar initiatives in place. These organizations rely on donations to sustain their operations and continue providing critical, local news to their communities.
In San Francisco, for example, local TV stations have increasingly focused on national issues, leading to a situation where the community is left with limited local news coverage. This has raised concerns about the quality of local representation and the potential for information deserts. By supporting non-profit news organizations, community members can ensure that their voices are heard and that their local issues are given the attention they deserve.
For those who wish to support these initiatives, donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Donors are encouraged to share their contributions on social media platforms to raise awareness and inspire others to contribute as well. By participating in this initiative, readers will play a crucial role in ensuring that democracy, free speech, and reliable information prevail during times of uncertainty.
To support these non-profit news organizations, readers can visit the following donation pages: - CalMatters: give.calmatters.org/campaign/564470/donate - Bay City News: sanfranciscopublicpress-bloom.kindful.com - Mission Local: openvallejo.org/donate - Open Vallejo: cvlocaljournalism.org/supportus - Central Valley Journalism Collaborative: altnewsfoundation.org/project-donations