Because local news matters.
As Central Virginia experiences a steady and steep decline in local news, we risk increased misinformation, marginalization, and polarization that weakens community ties and threatens our democracy.
Local news matters. And everyone in our region deserves access to information that is relevant, reliable, and within reach.
Last year, Charlottesville Inclusive Media Project and Charlottesville Area Community Foundation worked with the media development organization Listening Post Collective, which led an independent assessment of our information ecosystem. We came together to better understand the current landscape—connecting to local residents, crucial outlets, and trusted messengers across Fluvanna, Louisa, Madison, and Nelson counties. The result of this collaboration is the Central Virginia Information Ecosystem Assessment, an in-depth report that gives us a roadmap for strengthening local news and improving how our communities stay informed, including insights from over 300 resident surveys and 13 local expert interviews.
We deserve trustworthy, accessible, and inclusive local news. Meet the folks making it happen.
Coming Soon: The Local News Listening Tour
At the heart of this report are the stories of local information providers—from solo Substack authors and news editors, to coffee shop owners and librarians—who are stepping up to meet the needs of our diverse region and share what matters most in their communities.
We know that predominantly rural areas are disproportionately impacted by the loss of local news outlets. So, we started our research in Fluvanna, Louisa, Nelson, and Madison counties to meet the trusted messengers who are filling information gaps across Central Virginia, including and beyond traditional newsrooms.
This Spring, we are launching the Local News Listening Tour: an event series with one stop in each county, where you’ll have the chance to meet the folks helping us all stay informed and engaged. Details to come! Sign up for email updates below to stay in the loop.
Photo Credit: Luna Cortes
survey respondents
info sources & hubs
When something that matters to you or your community happens, where do you hear about it first?
Where do you go for information about what’s happening in your community?
As key issues such as affordability, elections, data centers, and extreme weather impact our region, local news and information shapes what we know and how we are empowered to act. We conducted this research because we wanted to understand how news and information flows in our communities, and how it impacts you.
You told us that you care deeply about what’s happening where you live, but a lack of local outlets, access, and time make it challenging to get the news you need. In this report, we explore the rise of Facebook as a popular—but unreliable—source of information, the need for print media and physical hubs to support areas with growing digital divides, the demand for transparent local government communications, and much more.
Where do we go for information about what’s happening in our communities? Read on in the report.
Are you a champion for local media?
We want to hear from you! Share your questions, comments, and feedback on the report.
The decline of local news affects our ability to make informed decisions about our day-to-day lives and the future of our communities. We all have a role to play in creating a stronger, healthier information ecosystem, and you don’t have to be in a newsroom or city hall to have an impact.
If you are curious to learn more or just want to share your thoughts, reach out Kisha Bwenge, CACF Senior Consultant at kbwenge@cacfonline.org.
