New INFORMS Management Science Study Key Takeaways:
- Citizen Journalists are Vital: They cover hyper-local stories that might otherwise go unreported, providing essential coverage of community events, school happenings and local politics.
- Professional Journalists Can’t Fully Replace Them: When citizen journalists stop contributing, professional journalists try to fill the gap, but can’t replicate the volume, variety or deeply local focus of citizen-generated stories.
- News Engagement Declines: Without citizen journalists, fewer people engage with local news platforms and the demand for community-driven stories goes unmet, especially in rural and underserved areas.
BALTIMORE, MD, February 6, 2025 – As local newsrooms continue to shrink and news deserts grow, citizen journalists are stepping in to sustain coverage, but a new study in the INFORMS journal Management Science reveals just how critical their role is – and the consequences of their absence.
The study, “(How) Does User-Generated Content Impact Content Generated by Professionals? Evidence from Local News,” analyzes data from Austria’s Meinbezirk.at, a platform that relies heavily on contributions from citizen journalists. Researchers found that when the platform removed a points-based reward system for citizen contributors, the volume of user-generated stories plummeted.
Although professional journalists increased their reporting to help fill the gap, they couldn’t match the breadth or depth of the local stories previously supplied by citizen journalists. This shortfall was most pronounced in rural and underserved areas in which citizen contributors often served as the primary source of hyper-local news.
“Citizen journalists provide stories that deeply connect with their neighbors, from local sports to issues that are often overlooked,” says Ananya Sen of Carnegie Mellon University. “When their contributions decline, communities lose an essential voice.”
The study highlights how this decline in citizen contributions also affects news engagement. Without the hyper-local stories that resonate with readers, fewer people interact with news platforms, undermining their ability to meet community demands.
Pedro Ferreira, a co-author from Carnegie Mellon University, emphasized the broader implications: “To address these challenges, there is an essential need for innovative strategies to incentivize and support citizen journalism, ensuring that local news coverage remains robust and relevant.”
Broader Implications for the Digital News Landscape
The findings come at a time when platforms such as TikTok and YouTube are becoming increasingly important sources of news, especially for younger audiences. In this shifting landscape, supporting citizen journalism is vital to sustaining informed, connected communities. Further, this research serves as a wake-up call for platforms and communities to prioritize local journalism. By recognizing and incentivizing the contributions of citizen journalists, stakeholders can preserve the unique stories that keep communities informed, connected and engaged.
About INFORMS and Management Science
INFORMS is the world’s largest association for professionals and students in operations research, AI, analytics, data science and related disciplines, serving as a global authority in advancing cutting-edge practices and fostering an interdisciplinary community of innovation. Management Science, a leading peer-reviewed journal published by INFORMS, publishes quantitative research on management practices across organizations. INFORMS empowers its community to improve organizational performance and drive data-driven decision-making through its journals, conferences and resources. Learn more at www.informs.org or @informs.
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Ashley Smith
443-757-3578
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Media Contact
Ashley Smith
Public Affairs Coordinator
INFORMS
Catonsville, MD
[email protected]
443-757-3578