News Media and the Shifting Contours of Citizen Engagement

Leveraging the research that ties local journalism with political engagement—the foci of Danny Hayes and Jennifer Lawless’ News Hole—this review article delves into key themes and ideas raised in their book. The article first provides an overview and examples that highlight the importance of local newspapers to their communities, then discusses the global nature of “news deserts” and their impact on political engagement. It then opens the door for larger discussions about what engagement entails and how other forms, especially civic engagement, matter for social cohesion, before suggesting contemporary areas of research that can mitigate the problems outlined in News Hole. The article establishes linkages to other literatures to shed light on the shifting contours of citizen engagement—contours that continue to evolve as today’s media landscape becomes increasingly balkanized and complex.