Nine correspondents, three programmes, local news under the microscope

Index has been working on a series of three radio programmes with NPR affiliate radio station KBIA, on the subject of the decline of local journalism and how that impacts the idea of democracy. Three Index on Censorship magazine contributors from as far afield as China, Mexico and Italy, feature on each programme, which also include a videocast. All around the world, local news organizations that report on municipal and regional governments are in decline. In a special series with Index on Censorship magazine, the programmes take a look at news deserts in the U.S., silent zones in Mexico and a poll measuring the confidence of British journalists in their ability to hold the powerful to account. We’ll also get a closer view at what the disappearance of local journalists means for democracy and accountability in government. See more on NPR.