The RegPress project found that in Southern Sweden, the regional press maintains high and stable levels of sales, fulfills a “watchdog” role, and takes part in community building. The RegPress project used mixed methods to study media audiences, conducting 67 qualitative interviews, nine focus groups, and a survey of 9,000 people. It found that readers draw on a range of media sources, and they see the regional press as a “trust anchor” in a global digital world. As a trust anchor, the regional press acts as a point of reference for readers to access news and debate. They develop media practices based on this understanding as they engage with civic, political, and cultural issues. Trust anchors also help readers interpret information from social media and other sources. The voices of journalism in regional press are therefore located dynamically amongst local people, issues, and interests as well as other media sources.
Contribution in a themed panel