Local collaboration follows contraction

Readers who have been tuning out and disengaging from the news will begin turning back to trusted online sources once the new year gets rolling, but not in the numbers that we saw during the pandemic. It might take a while to emerge from what some are calling their “cocooning,” and it won’t be enough for journalists to blare the latest twists and turns at the Capitol and sit back and wait for another so-called Trump bump.

The key for those outside of New York and Washington will be to intensify their focus on local, on problem-solving, and on bringing understanding to complex issues in chaotic times. News organizations that emphasize quality over quantity will stand apart from the aggregators and wire-heavy sites that lack a connection and relevancy in people’s lives. Success and sustainability are tied more closely to reader loyalty than to viral hot takes and page views.

Yes, print will continue to decline, and public radio will face its own ongoing challenges as hybrid work and the popularity of SiriusXM, Spotify, and other streaming services mean fewer people catch up on the news as they drive to and from the office.

It’s not all bad, however. Contraction will be accompanied by more collaboration across platforms. We’re launching just such an effort here in Colorado in 2025 that expands statehouse coverage through the Colorado Capitol News Alliance, an initiative that involves public radio KUNC, Colorado Public Radio, Rocky Mountain PBS, and The Colorado Sun. Financed by a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the alliance will support the hiring of additional resources to cover the Colorado State Capitol and state government entities, with partners collaborating on news reporting, editorial planning, and digital distribution along with a weekly podcast.

Here at the Sun, we are exploring other collaborations and new ways to reach readers across our state. It’s a far cry from the zero-sum days of cutthroat competition, and it gives me hope about the good work we will do together in the year ahead.