To mark the 200th anniversary of the Segeberger Zeitung, ZeMKI member Dr. Leif Kramp was invited to give an interview to the Kieler Nachrichten. In it, he discusses the importance of local newspapers in an era of growing disinformation and explains their vital role in a democratic public sphere. Leif Kramp also assesses the current situation of local newspapers, describes the challenges many face, and outlines prospects for necessary changes and future developments.
In the article, Leif Kramp emphasizes that local newspapers must continue to evolve in order to fulfill their role as provider of an informed and critical public in the future and, in particular, to better reach younger target groups. This is not merely a matter of a stronger digital presence, but of structural changes in business models, funding structures, and in how they perceive themselves in relation to their audience.
For constructive journalism, it is crucial not to view the audience merely as consumers, but as active partners. Local newspapers should therefore be more present in people’s everyday lives and purposefully create spaces for exchange and dialogue, even beyond traditional media consumption.
